The Pirates and Bednar avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.51 million contract Thursday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: It's a sizable, well-earned raise for Bednar in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. He's collected 61 saves while posting a 2.25 ERA and 226:56 K:BB over 179.2 innings during his time in Pittsburgh, blossoming into one of the best closers in baseball.
David Bednar Finishes with 39 saves
Bednar picked up the save in Sunday's 3-0 victory over the Marlins, striking out two over a perfect inning.
Analysis: It was a fitting way for Bednar to wrap up the campaign, striking out his final two batters to close out a 3-0 Pirates' victory. Since Aug. 30, the 28-year-old Bednar pitched to a 1.35 ERA over 13.1 innings while converting 16 straight save chances. He'll end the year with 39 saves, tied for second most in the majors, with a 2.00 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 80 strikeouts over 67.1 innings.
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