Phillies Once Again Linked to Pirates' David Bednar and Dennis Santana as Trade Deadline Targets

Phillies Once Again Linked to Pirates' David Bednar and Dennis Santana as Trade Deadline Targets originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Philadelphia Phillies have a few needs to address at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, but none greater than their bullpen issues. There are plenty of options expected to be on the market, but there are two relievers the Phillies have been continually linked to.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Phillies are interested and expected to pursue two Pittsburgh Pirates relievers. "The Phillies are looking at relievers David Bednar and Dennis Santana of the Pittsburgh Pirates..."

While the Phillies have been linked to a few relievers ahead of the deadline, no two have been linked to the Phillies more than Bednar and Santana.

Recently, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette linked the Phillies to both Bednar and Santana. Nightengale's report further indicates the interest, pointing towards two clear targets for the Phillies.

Both relievers would be nice additions for the Phillies to make. Santana is amid his best season as a professional. He has a 1.42 ERA through 38 appearances, and he's struck out 28 batters and walked just seven.

Bednar, meanwhile, has a 2.73 ERA in 33 appearances and has 12 saves to go with 42 strikeouts and nine walks. In his 15 games since May 24th, Bednar hasn't allowed an earned run.

The two Pirates righty relievers are among the Phillies' top trade deadline targets, and based on their statistical profile, it's easy to see why. But what makes these two targets interesting is their difference in history.

Bednar is a former All-Star closer and came off a bad 5.77 ERA in 2024. But he's turned things around this season and is a great closer once again. Santana, on the other hand, is a journeyman reliever who was waived by the New York Yankees last season.

After getting picked up by the Pirates, it has been incredible. In 39 games with the Pirates in 2024, he had a 2.44 ERA compared to the 6.26 ERA in 23 games with the Yankees. Combined with his 1.42 ERA this season, he's been remarkable since joining the Pirates.

The two Pirates righty relievers are among the top Phillies trade deadline targets. They've been linked multiple times to both relievers, and Nightengale's new report further hints at a potential deal for one or both of the Pirates relievers.

Related: Phillies' Interest in All-Star Reliever Seeing an 'Uptick' After 0.00 June ERA

Related: Phillies Targeting Pirates' 1.46 ERA Reliever As 'Primary Interest' at Trade Deadline

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.