The trade deadline in baseball is fast approaching.

With the Pirates pulling a fast fade from the playoff race following their 20-8 start, the team figures to be sellers rather than buyers.

And they should be.

Henry Davis, Nick Gonzalez, Jared Triolo and Josh Palacios are prospects who joined the major league roster well after the regular season started. Endy Rodriguez is knocking on the door. So is Quinn Priester.

These guys need playing time. Clearing out a few guys can make that happen.

But for those who are concerned Mars graduate and Pirate closer David Bednar — as marketable as he may be — could be on his way out, take a deep breath and relax. More than likely, he’s not going anywhere.

It’s certainly understandable why teams would love to get their hands on Bednar. He’s 28 years old. He has three years of club control left. And he seems to be getting better all the time.

Through 35.1 innings pitched this season, Bednar has 42 strikeouts and all of seven walks. Three of those free passes have been intentional. He has a 1.27 earned run average, has struck out 29.8% of the hitters he’s faced and walked a scant 5%.

He’s had saves longer than one inning. He’s saved a number of one-run games. He’s only allowed one home run all year.

You won’t find a closer with better numbers.

But there’s no need for the Pirates to move this guy — not because he’s a hometown product — but because he has become one of the top closers in the game. He’s a legitimate two-time All-Star, not a token selection because every team needs to be represented.

If the Pirate brass truly believes a winning team is coming, Bednar should be here when it gets here. The man could save 30 games this season for a team that may only win 72 or so.

He could be a 40-save guy for a team that wins 90 or more games. You don’t dump a closer like that.

David Bednar is one of the winning pieces who’s already here, so let’s keep him here.

Farewell to Jean

The dirt track racing world recently lost a legend with the recent passing of Jean Lynch at age 88.

She was the mother of Ed Lynch, Jr., arguably the best Sprint car driver ever produced locally. But Jean was so much more to racing.

She helped get Lernerville Speedway off the ground in its formative years. She is a member of five Halls of Fame: National Sprint Car, Pittsburgh Circle Track Club, DIRT Motorsports, Lernerville Speedway and Tri-City Speedway.

Jean worked with racing outfits such as USAC, NASCAR and CART, worked with the Indianapolis 500 for ten years. She had an undying passion for racing at all levels.

She worked directly for more than ten racetracks.

Her great work will be remembered. Her passion for the sport will be coveted.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle

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