The New York Yankees spent the majority of the offseason finding a way to keep their 2025 team intact. For the most part, the Yankees’ biggest moves involved re-signing their own players, and while it remains to be seen whether or not that’s a good thing or a bad thing, it’s clear that fans weren’t exactly pleased with the front office’s lack of spending over the past few months.
In one of the more overlooked moves of the offseason, New York shored up its pitching depth by re-signing Paul Blackburn to a one-year, $2 million contract, even though he struggled mightily in 2025. Despite that, Blackburn has looked very strong early in Spring Training, with the early returns suggesting the Yanks may have made one of the best deals of the offseason by bringing him back to town.
Paul Blackburn Stars for Yankees Early in Spring Training
Blackburn initially broke into the majors with the Oakland Athletics back in 2017, but he didn’t pitch more than 60 innings in each of his first five years in the majors. Everything changed for Blackburn in 2022, as he earned a surprise All-Star selection from seemingly out of nowhere after starting in 21 games for the A’s.
In 2024, Blackburn was traded to the New York Mets, but he never found his footing with the team. He ended up getting released last August, with the Yankees taking a flier on him. All-in-all, Blackburn’s 2025 numbers are not good (0-3, 6.23 ERA, 1 SV, 34 K, 1.51 WHIP), but that didn’t stop New York from bringing him back to town for the 2026 season.
So far, that decision is looking like a shrewd one, as Blackburn has yet to give up a run in six innings of work so far in Spring Training. While it’s still early, the initial returns on Blackburn look very encouraging, and there’s hope that he can find the form he put on full display during his All-Star campaign in 2022.
“Paul Blackburn could be a bargain,” Howie Kussoy wrote for the New York Post. “Blackburn, who was re-signed to a one-year, $2 million contract after joining the Yankees in August, looked the part of a former All-Star while starting and throwing four shutout innings in Saturday’s 5-1 win over the Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Blackburn, 32, hasn’t allowed a run in six innings of spring work.”
Paul Blackburn Looking Like a Bargain for the Yankees
GettyPaul Blackburn #58 of the New York Yankees
While Blackburn re-signed with the Yankees without any sort of guarantee that he’d have a role with the team, he’s quickly proving that he belongs in the majors to begin the year. Whether he’s used in the starting rotation or as a multi-inning reliever, it seems like Blackburn is quickly locking up his spot on the Opening Day roster.
Of course, delivering once the games actually matter is going to be what makes or breaks Blackburn’s stint with the Yankees, but he’s proven himself capable of turning back the clock in his first few Spring Training outings. Assuming he can keep it up, Blackburn could be a surprise contributor for New York throughout the entire season.
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