The New York Yankees are capitalizing on a boost from an unlikely source—their rivals.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Yankees revealed they signed right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn to a major league deal after he was let go by their crosstown foes, the New York Mets, earlier this week. To make room, the Yankees sent right-hander Allan Winans down to their triple-A team, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Paul Blackburn, a nine-year MLB veteran, kicked off his career with a seven-year run with the Oakland Athletics before being traded to the New York Mets just before the 2024 MLB trade deadline. With the Mets this season, he posted a 6.85 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP across seven appearances, including four starts, and notched one save against the Colorado Rockies.
Yankees insider Bryan Hoch reported on X that Blackburn was initially slated to join the team for their final game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Florida but couldn’t travel. The Yankees’ decision to sign him comes just ahead of a crucial four-game series against their fierce division rivals, the Boston Red Sox, at Yankee Stadium.
For more details on Blackburn’s stats this season, check the sports card above.
Allan Winans, who spent two seasons with the Atlanta Braves, was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees earlier this year. In three appearances, including one start for the Yankees, he posted an 8.68 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. While these numbers are underwhelming and likely led to his demotion to the triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, they’re an improvement over his previous MLB performance. In two starts with the Braves, Winans struggled with a 15.26 ERA and a 2.35 WHIP. Time in the minors may help him refine his game.
The Yankees’ bullpen shakeup follows a rough outing from their key trade deadline acquisition, former Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar. In a game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Bednar surrendered two runs in the ninth, allowing Tampa to tie the game and push it into extra innings.
Luckily, Giancarlo Stanton’s pinch-hit home run, followed by another from catcher Austin Wells, bailed out the Yankees. Although closer Devin Williams secured the save, his inconsistent performance this season remains a concern. The hope is that Paul Blackburn’s addition will bolster the Yankees’ bullpen as they head into a critical four-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.
For more on Winans’ or Bednar’s stats, check the sports card above.
Source: SI.com
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