The New York Yankees can add to their already outstanding pitching staff before the MLB trade deadline in 2024, and one pitcher has been linked to the organization as a potential reinforcement.
Adam Weinrib of Yanks Go Yard listed Oakland Athletics pitcher Paul Blackburn as a viable starting option for the Yankees to pursue before the July 30 deadline (via Patrick McAvoy of Fan Nation’s Inside the Pinstripes).
The Yankees can keep a watch on Athletics RHP Paul Blackburn, who is currently having a solid early 2024 campaign.
Blackburn has made six starts in 2024. His 3.34 ERA is the best he’s had since his rookie season, and his 3.82 FIP is impressive given the sample size.
Furthermore, the 30-year-old throws a diverse range of pitches, with his four Seamers accounting for 21.2% of his total deliveries, followed by his cutter (20.4%), changeup (19.3%), slider (17.5%), curveball (11.7%), and sinker (9.9%).
Is there room for Blackburn on the Yankees? Will New York be buyers for pitchers at the deadline?
The 2022 All-Star could slot directly into the Yankees’ rotation and provide the most value while reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole is out with an injury. Cole is not anticipated to return when he becomes eligible on May 27, putting his return date closer to the summer at the earliest.
If the Yankees are active in the trade market before the deadline, Blackburn may provide another reliable veteran arm for the organization to replace Cole. He’d also be a solid depth option at the end of the lineup.
The Yankees do have a five-man rotation, and everyone has been performing well thus far this season. Carlos Rodon leads them, while Nestor Cortes, Marcus Stroman, Clark Schmidt, and emerging star potential Luis Gil have guided the squad to a 19-10 record so far. It remains to be seen whether New York will attempt to move one of their starters while also trading one or more of their hitters for another starter, but if so, Blackburn is a name to monitor.
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