The New York Mets are working to secure a deal to acquire starting right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn from the Oakland Athletics. In return, the A’s will acquire Kade Morris, a 22-year-old minor league Single-A pitcher drafted out of Nevada in 2023.
The New York Mets are finalizing a deal to acquire right-handed starter Paul Blackburn from the Oakland A’s, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2024
Mets Finalizing Deal With Oakland A’s For Righty Starter
Blackburn’s MLB Career
30-year-old Blackburn commenced his MLB career in 2017 when he made his debut. Blackburn was the only player on the A’s to be selected for the 2022 All-Star Game. This season, for the A’s, he has recorded a 4-2 record with an ERA of 4.41 and 38 strikeouts across 51 innings pitched. He’s also sported a WAR of 0.6 and a WHIP of 1.16. He has a 21-26 career record with a 4.83 ERA and 308 strikeouts. Unfortunately, he has had his fair share of injuries over the years. He dealt with a finger injury in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In 2023, he was also experiencing an illness that impacted his playing time.
This season, he has been dealing with a foot injury. He was taken off the 60-Day IL on Friday, July 26th, making his first start since May 10th. He was experiencing a stress reaction in his right foot. His rehab starts weren’t successful, as he surrendered eight earned runs across only four innings pitched. In 2018, he also dealt with a right elbow lateral epicondylitis and a strained right forearm. Blackburn has a year of control left on his contract. Overall, Blackburn is no needle mover.
He’s potentially another arm that can pitch deep in games. His first-inning ERA is reminiscent of Carlos Carrasco. On the plus side, Blackburn provides the Mets with a veteran starter at the back of the rotation. Blackburn was an advocate for A’s fans, and he will certainly continue his advocacy with Mets fans when he starts pitching in New York.
Main Photo Credits: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
