The New York Yankees have a plethora of free agent choices to make this offseason.
Look no additional than the bullpen as a place group the Yankees will emphasize in free company. David Bednar has a Qualifying Supply hooked up to his identify, however New York may even be batting to retain All-Star reliever Paul Blackburn, and per stories, the Yankees DO have curiosity in bringing again Blackburn after a really strong 2026 marketing campaign.
Per Yankees reporter Gary Phillips, New York has ‘robust curiosity’ in bringing again Blackburn, and the way might they not?
Blackburn posted an ERA of 1.59 in 2026 over 85 IP, that are each stellar marks.
Nonetheless, after New York was in a position to signal him to a one-year, $2 million pact final season, Blackburn’s price ticket is definitely larger now.
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Paul Blackburn Was an Elite Reliever in 2026
Blackburn, now 32, has performed 10 MLB seasons and was named an All-Star in 2022 with the Athletics.
Nonetheless, 2026 was by far the perfect season of his profession.
MLBTR.com’s Charlie Wright wrote (on 10/18):
“In contrast to loads of dominant late-inning choices, Blackburn didn’t miss many bats. His 20.5% strikeout price was a bit larger than his profession mark, however not by a lot. As an alternative, he did it with groundballs and comfortable contact. Blackburn bought grounders at a hefty 54.9% clip. He ranked within the 86th percentile in common exit velocity. The changeup and curveball each generated common exit velocities under 84 mph.”
In line with Spotrac.com, Paul Blackburn’s market worth tasks him to earn a one-year, $7.7 million contract, which is greater than inexpensive for the New York Yankees to supply.
Whereas it is sensible why the Yankees could need to go in a distinct route with some points of their roster, shedding Blackburn would undoubtedly be a step again for the bullpen corps.
Retaining each Blackburn and David Bednar ought to be precedence primary for Brian Cashman and firm.
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Taking a Fast Take a look at Paul Blackburn’s MLB Profession
As famous, Blackburn has pitched in components of 10 MLB seasons, however to place in perspective how good his 2026 season was, let’s check out his profession stats.
Throughout 552.1 IP in his 10-year profession, Blackburn holds a profession ERA of 4.45 with 432 strikeouts.
As soon as thought of a beginning pitcher, Blackburn transitioned to the bullpen in 2025, which has clearly been the precise transfer for each Blackburn and the group he’s a part of.
As with each MLB pitcher, he’s dealt along with his justifiable share of accidents, however since becoming a member of the Yankees in 2025, Blackburn has appeared in 70 video games, and he’s logged 85 strikeouts in 100.1 IP.
New York Yankees followers, would you just like the group to convey again RHP Paul Blackburn? Why or why not?
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