First Call: Asking price for David Bednar reportedly 'bananas'; Minkah Fitzpatrick calls Pittsburgh exit 'very unfortunate'

Tuesday’s “First Call” features Minkah Fitzpatrick’s first quotes since being traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Miami Dolphins. We also get updates on David Bednar’s trade stock and Kenny Pickett’s health.

Plus, more gambling issues swirl around the Cleveland Guardians.

Minkah speaks

For the first time since he was dealt to the Miami Dolphins last month, Minkah Fitzpatrick discussed the trade that sent him to South Florida in exchange for Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey.

“I want to thank the city of Pittsburgh. The fans of Pittsburgh treated me very well,” Fitzpatrick said Monday via video from David Furones of the Sun Sentinel. “I enjoyed my time there. I had some great players and great teammates. It was very unfortunate the way things ended. It’s a part of business. I’m extremely excited to be a Miami Dolphin.”

However, Fitzpatrick refused to take any questions about how things ended here and how, or why, the trade went down the way it did.

Minkah Fitzpatrick's first comments since coming back to the Miami Dolphins in a trade from the Steelers.

Pretty comprehensive answer here on his silence since it all went down. pic.twitter.com/LkgpXtfRKA

— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) July 28, 2025

Fitzpatrick also insisted that his month of silence had nothing to do with discontent over returning to Miami, a team that traded him to Pittsburgh in the first place back in 2019.

Furthermore, the 28-year-old safety told reporters the revised contract he requested was simply a matter of assurance that he’d be in Miami beyond 2025.

“It was reported that I wanted a new contract. I just wanted to know that I was going to be here for more than a season,” Fitzpatrick said.

Indeed. I’m sure the $16 million he got up front earlier this week after switching to new agent Drew Rosenhaus helped smooth that over.

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Pickett’s prognosis

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski discussed Kenny Pickett’s hamstring injury Monday, claiming the ex-Steeler is going to be back practicing “very quickly.”

“It happened at the end of practice a couple of days ago,” Stefanski said. “(He) felt something. So we’ll just treat it. For any player, you’re disappointed when you can’t be out there with any injury. It’ll be fine, he’ll rehab, he’ll get back out very quickly.”

There is "no timetable" on a return for Browns QB Kenny Pickett from his hamstring injury, per HC Kevin Stefanski.

Stefanski said Pickett suffered the injury at the end of Saturday's practice. He threw a TD while rolling to his right on the final play. pic.twitter.com/ZYhZXqCLzJ

— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) July 28, 2025

Stefanski added that Pickett had looked good in practice and was using his scrambling ability well.

“He did use his mobility a couple times and is a fast player. He can really run. So, we’ll make sure that he heals up nice and fast and then get him back out there. But I thought he had a good four days,” Stefanski said.

#Browns Kevin Stefanski on how Kenny Pickett was progressing before the hammy: pic.twitter.com/aIzJbtBQKH

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) July 28, 2025

Pickett’s injury means more reps for Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in their four-horse derby to see who becomes the 2025 starter.

Bidding for Bednar

If the Pirates trade closer David Bednar, the front office is aiming for a return that is going to be through the roof.

That’s according to the Detroit News’ Tony Paul, who claims that the asking price for Bednar “appears to be bananas.”

The Tigers are in need of a reliever, and Paul reports that the Pirates have been scouting Detroit prospects in the minor leagues, specifically the Erie SeaWolves.

The #Pirates have been scouting the Erie SeaWolves over the last week, and there are some pieces that interest the #Tigers. Asking price for RP David Bednar, as of now, appears to be bananas.

— Tony Paul | Detroit News (@TonyPaul1984) July 28, 2025

As Sports Illustrated’s Dominic Campbell points out, “MLB Pipeline ranks 11 of the top 30 prospects from the Tigers at Double-A, including five of their top 10 prospects and four of their top five prospects. This includes their top, second and fourth and fifth overall prospects in shortstop Kevin McGonigle, outfielder Max Clark, first baseman/catcher Josue Briceño and catcher/first baseman Thayron Liranzo, who all rank in the top 100.”

Bednar has one more year of team control before hitting free agency. The ’26 season will mark his third year of arbitration. The Mars graduate is a two-time All-Star.

Despite allowing an earned run for the first time since May 23, Bednar converted his 17th save Monday night in San Francisco and now has 101 for his career.

Thinning the pool

The asking price for Bednar could’ve gone up because of what has transpired with Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase. The Guardians’ All-Star closer was believed to be a trade candidate for bullpen-needy teams as well.

However, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, the 27-year-old right-hander has been placed on “non-disciplinary paid leave.” The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting he’ll be sidelined until at least Aug. 31.

This is part of a Major League Baseball investigation into sports betting. Earlier this month, another Guardians pitcher, Luis Ortiz, was also placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through at least the end of August. Ortiz is a former Pirate.

According to the Associated Press, it is unclear if the cases were related. The AP quotes a Guardians’ statement claiming the organization “(has) been informed that no additional players or club personnel are expected to be impacted.”

LISTEN: Tuesday’s Bella Construction “Letter’s from Camp” podcast sounds off about George Pickens’ comments about leaving Pittsburgh for Dallas.