In a move that flew under the radar, the New York Yankees have added a battle-tested arm to their bullpen, snagging former Oakland Athletics pitcher Paul Blackburn. While he may not be slotted for a starring role in the rotation, the 31-year-old right-hander’s gritty mentality and knack for eating innings make him a perfect fit for the long relief role—a hidden ace ready to shine when the Yankees need him most.
Blackburn’s journey to the Bronx has been anything but straightforward. After being traded from the Chicago Cubs to the Seattle Mariners, and then to the Athletics as part of the Danny Valencia deal, Blackburn debuted with Oakland in 2017. He impressed early, posting a 3.22 ERA over 58 2/3 innings. However, the following three seasons were a grind, with Blackburn bouncing between the minors and the majors as a depth arm for the A’s, struggling to find consistency.
Everything changed in 2022, a season that saw the A’s dismantle their roster yet again. Starting the year as Oakland’s No. 4 starter, Blackburn emerged as a reliable force. Through June, he boasted a 3.12 ERA and a 6-3 record on a team that limped to a 60-102 finish. His ability to pitch deeper into games gave the A’s much-needed stability, earning him a well-deserved All-Star nod. Unfortunately, post-break struggles and right finger inflammation landed him on the injured list, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
Blackburn’s resilience shone through in 2023 and 2024, where he continued to deliver league-average performances as a starter for Oakland, despite missing significant time due to injuries. Last summer, he was traded to the New York Mets at the deadline in exchange for right-hander Kade Morris. His 2025 season with the Mets began on June 2, but injuries limited him to just six appearances. On August 13, he returned to toss five solid innings against the Atlanta Braves, allowing only a hit, a walk, and two earned runs. However, the Mets designated him for assignment shortly after, paving the way for his move to the Yankees.
Now, as a Yankee, Blackburn steps into a role tailor-made for his skill set: long relief. The Yankees, sitting at 69-58 and holding the AL’s top wild-card spot, are locked in a tight race, trailing the Toronto Blue Jays by 4.5 games in the AL East and fending off the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals in the wild-card hunt. With their bullpen needing to stay fresh for the stretch run, Blackburn’s ability to eat innings when a starter falters is invaluable. His bulldog mentality—honed during his years with the scrappy A’s—ensures he’ll compete fiercely every time he takes the mound, giving his all to keep the rest of the bullpen rested and ready.
While Blackburn may not have the flashiest “stuff,” his heart and determination make him a perfect fit for this Yankees squad. He’s not just a roster addition; he’s a competitor who can quietly become a game-changer in the postseason push. As New York battles for October glory, Paul Blackburn might just prove to be the hidden ace they didn’t see coming.