When Pirates general manager Ben Cherington traded closer David Bednar to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline last year, he was taking a gamble.
In the longer term, he was banking on the return of 24-year-old Triple-A catcher Rafael Flores, 20-year-old outfielder Brian Sanchez, and 19-year-old catcher Edgleen Perez would outweigh the departure of Bednar.
In the shorter term, however, he was taking the chance that his bullpen could withstand the loss of the longtime closer.
While the three prospects Cherington acquired were all lottery tickets to one extent or another, the Pirates still believed they had ample replacement for Bednar.
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