2 upcoming NY Mets free agents we already want to extend, 3 we are ready to let walk

Philadelphia Phillies v New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies v New York Mets | Al Bello/GettyImages
5 of 5

We are ready to let Paul Blackburn walk

For some of us, the first question we have to ask is who is Paul Blackburn? The second question most likely is and when did he start pitching for the NY Mets? Let me try to fill in some of the missing pieces from his five game career (so far) with the NY Mets.

Paul Blackburn spent the majority of his first eight years in the MLB as a starting pitcher for the Athletics, compiling a modest record of 21-26. On July 30, he was traded to the NY Mets for low minor league prospect pitcher Kade Morris. He appeared in five games for the Mets with a record of 1-2 and a 5.18 ERA. It was at this point that Paul Blackburn began to experience back problems and was placed on the Injury List, thus ending his season.

On October 11, Blackburn underwent a cerebrospinal fluid leak repair and was ruled out for at least five months. He began the 2025 season on the Injury List with a knee inflammation. He is scheduled to pitch in a rehab game at the Mets AAA affiliate in Syracuse, NY on May 16. Hopefully, more good news will follow.

Blackburn looked like the perfect candidate to work with Mats pitching coach Jeremy Hefner. He’s a veteran pitcher who has had some success and could in time still make significant contributions. However, he is presently on the Injury List for the twelfth time in his career. Even though none of those times are considered to be his fault, sometimes you just have to cut your losses and move on. This looks like it could be one of those times.