Entering 2024, the New York Yankees were brimming with high expectations, poised for a season of promise.
As the warm breeze of spring transitions into the heat of summer, the question arises: could general manager Brian Cashman bolster the Bombers’ pitching arsenal by setting his sights on Paul Blackburn of the Oakland Athletics?
In a discussion surrounding Major League Baseball’s prime trade targets, Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report highlighted New York as one of the “ideal landing spots” for Blackburn, a former All-Star hurler in 2022.
“Blackburn should draw widespread interest on the trade market, because it projects to be a weak crop of pitchers available and he can’t become a free agent until after the 2025 season. The veteran right-hander might actually make the most sense for a team that’s in the mix for a playoff spot but expects to be even better in 2025.”
Currently earning $3.45 million with the Athletics, Blackburn has showcased his prowess on the mound, boasting a commendable 2-1 record alongside a stellar 2.03 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and tallying 23 strikeouts in his initial 31 innings pitched across five starts.
As the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole progresses through his rehabilitation journey from nerve inflammation and edema in his right elbow, optimism abounds regarding his return to the mound, as reported by Greg Joyce of the New York Post.
During Cole’s absence, manager Aaron Boone has been relying on a starting rotation featuring Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman, Clarke Schmidt, Nestor Cortes, and Luis Gil, according to FanGraphs’ Roster Resource.
While promising talents such as Cody Poteet, Clayton Beeter, and Will Warren wait in the wings in the minor leagues, it’s worth noting that a significant portion of the Yankees’ pitching depth was traded to the San Diego Padres in December to secure outfielders Trent Grisham and Juan Soto.
In the competitive landscape of baseball, the need for quality pitching is a universal truth, particularly for teams harboring aspirations of postseason glory, such as the Yankees. Acquiring Blackburn could serve as a valuable insurance policy in the event of setbacks to key pitchers like Cole, Rodon, or Cortes, who experienced injury setbacks in the tumultuous 2023 season.
At 30 years old, Blackburn remains under team control until after the 2025 season, offering any acquiring team both immediate and long-term benefits.
Whether fortifying their roster for the current playoff push or laying the groundwork for future campaigns, Blackburn’s addition could prove pivotal for the New York Yankees or any other suitor vying for pitching stability.
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