The New York Yankees look ready to bring back right-hander Paul Blackburn on a one-year contract. This move says a lot about their ongoing pitching uncertainty, but also shows they think Blackburn’s late-season rebound wasn’t just luck.
The deal comes with a modest base salary and some innings-based incentives. It’s a classic low-risk, upside gamble for a staff that’s already been battered by injuries.
Yankees, Paul Blackburn Near One-Year Deal with Incentives
MLB insider Jon Heyman reports the Yankees are set to re-sign Blackburn to a one-year, $2 million contract. The agreement includes up to $500,000 in incentives tied to innings pitched.
Those incentives really matter. When a reliever gets paid by the inning, it usually means the club wants some flexibility—maybe bulk work, maybe rotation insurance.
The Yankees have already seen several starters hit the injured list. Blackburn gives them a cost-effective depth option with experience in both the rotation and bullpen.
From Mets Castoff to Bronx Bullpen Piece
Blackburn’s path to the Bronx wasn’t exactly smooth. He’s a Boras Corporation client and landed with the Yankees only after the New York Mets released him in August.
Things didn’t go well for him in Queens. Injuries and inconsistency kept him from locking down a rotation spot.
In pinstripes, though, he found a clearer role. Blackburn made eight appearances for the Yankees, working exclusively out of the bullpen and finishing with a 5.28 ERA.
The surface numbers aren’t great, but there’s more to the story. He struck out more than a batter per inning and looked sharper as he got comfortable in relief.
A Tale of Two Stints in New York
Blackburn’s 2024-25 season really splits into two parts: the struggles with the Mets, and the steadier run with the Yankees. That’s a big reason New York’s willing to give him another shot.
With the Mets, Blackburn arrived at the 2024 trade deadline as a supposed back-end starter. Instead, he struggled in five starts and dealt with a string of injuries—spine, knee, and later shoulder issues—heading into 2025.
His Mets stint never really got off the ground. The injuries just kept piling up.
Rough Start, Strong Finish in the Bronx
He didn’t exactly hit the ground running with the Yankees, either. Blackburn gave up seven earned runs in his first 3 1/3 innings out of the bullpen—a rough way to start in the Bronx.
But after that, he started to settle in. Over his next 12 innings, Blackburn allowed just two earned runs and showed off the pitch execution and poise that once made him a back-of-the-rotation arm in Oakland.
The strikeout rate in that stretch really stood out. He kept traffic manageable and missed bats in shorter bursts.
From Oakland Starter to New York Swingman?
Before all this, Blackburn spent his first seven major-league seasons with the Oakland Athletics. He carved out a niche as a back-of-the-rotation starter in the AL West, relying more on pitchability than overpowering stuff.
In Oakland, Blackburn’s thing was competence. He gave innings, mixed pitches, and, when healthy, kept his team in the game.
That’s the kind of profile that’s valuable for a contender trying to survive a long season without burning out its best arms.
June Spark, Then Familiar Struggles
His recent track record is a bit uneven. After battling injuries into 2025, Blackburn finally debuted in June with a promising start: five scoreless innings that looked like a step in the right direction.
But the good vibes didn’t last. In each of his next five outings, he gave up at least three runs, which nudged him into a bullpen role.
What Blackburn’s Deal Means for the Yankees’ Pitching Staff
On paper, Blackburn looks like a hybrid option—part depth starter, part multi-inning reliever. The incentive structure says a lot.
If he stays healthy and pitches well, the Yankees can stretch him out for real innings. If things don’t work out, they haven’t spent much.
With injuries already hitting the rotation, Blackburn gives New York a veteran arm. He can take on spot starts or handle bulk innings behind an opener.
The big things to watch as the season goes on:
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees To Re-Sign Paul Blackburn
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