1 NY Mets player the team will regret keeping around and not upgrading

One of the New York Mets' additions at the 2024 trade deadline was acquiring pitcher Paul Blackburn from the Oakland Athletics. Blackburn wasn't a huge addition, and he was pitching poorly at the time of the trade. Not only had he missed all of June and most of July, but he had just a 4.41 ERA, 4.60 FIP, and 1.16 WHIP in just 51 innings pitched. Blackburn had a strong 6.7% walk rate, but that's where the positives end. He struck out 18.3% of opponents with a poor 1.43 HR/9 rate.

Blackburn then made five starts with the Mets, and it couldn't have gone much worse. He had a 5.18 ERA, 4.65 FIP, and 1.56 WHIP in just 24.1 innings. He continued to keep his walk rate down at 6.5% but still had a sub-par 19.4% strikeout rate and 1.48 HR/9. Blackburn would eventually be placed on the 15-day injured list in late August and not make another appearance. Blackburn underwent a spinal procedure in October. Sure, a .365 batting average on balls in play didn't do him any favors, but it's not like he was ever an ace to start with.

At his very best, Blackburn is a somewhat serviceable back-of-the-rotation starter. In 2022 and 2023, he combined for a 4.35 ERA, 4.09 FIP, and 1.40 WHIP in 215 innings for the Athletics. He had a solid 7.8% walk rate and 1.07 HR/9 but did not strike out many opponents with a K% of 20.7%. Blackburn induced poor contact at an above-average rate as well, with an 87.7 MPH exit velo and 6.4% barrel percentage. He has just an 86 career Stuff+ rating.

But that is a very low bar to set, and the Mets already have numerous better options. Tylor Megill showed the most promise he ever has in 2024, posting a sub-4.00 FIP, xFIP, SIERA, and a 108 Stuff+ mark. Jose Butto made seven starts in 30 appearances and pitched very well for the Mets in 2024 with an ERA and FIP of 2.55 and 3.83, respectively.

Paul Blackburn should not be part of the Mets' roster.

It hasn't helped that the Mets have been active in free agency regarding starting pitching. They added Frankie Montas to the rotation and plan on moving Clay Holmes to a starting pitching role in 2025. They also re-signed Sean Manaea, and Kodai Senga should be good to go in 2025. So why is Blackburn still around?

The Mets had the option to non-tender Blackburn. MLB Trade Rumors even listed him as a non-tender candidate in their Mets' offseason outlook. They also project him to make $4.4 million in arbitration. Yet it looks as if they'll go through the process to keep him around. $4.4 million might be pocket change for the Mets, but it definitely could have been re-invested in something better. 

The Mets can still DFA Blackburn if/when they make another addition. But he has now survived two new additions to the starting rotation, along with the signing of Griffin Canning. It is looking more and more likely he will be a part of the Mets' roster when they head into Spring Training, and unfortunately, the Mets will go on to regret that decision.