3 NY Mets players proving David Stearns is no King Midas

3) Paul Blackburn

The Mets’ acquisition of Paul Blackburn at the 2024 trade deadline seemed odd, even at the time. They had a handful of solid starting pitching options, and Blackburn was never much better than a fifth starter. At the time of the acquisition, Blackburn only had a 4.41 ERA, 4.60 FIP, and 1.16 WHIP in an injury-limited 51 frames of work.

The results weren’t much better after the trade to the Mets. It was only 24.1 innings, with a 5.18 ERA, 4.69 FIP, and 1.56 WHIP. He was then placed on the IL in late August for a bone bruise. However, a more severe injury involving a spinal fluid leak would cut Blackburn’s season short. Blackburn would then undergo a spinal procedure, before another injury would set him back. The right-hander then suffered knee inflammation that caused him to open the year on the IL.

While Blackburn has returned to the Mets’ mound, the results haven’t been pretty. He has only managed to make it through 18.2 innings in six appearances, including four starts. He has 15 Ks and seven walks, but has allowed a whopping 30 hits and 16 earned runs. Every other Mets pitcher who has allowed as many earned runs as he has this year has pitched at least 30 innings.

To add insult to injury, the prospect the Mets gave up for Blackburn, Kade Morris, has become one of the Athletics’ top ten prospects, according to Baseball America. The Mets have been able to find a lot of diamonds in the rough when it comes to their pitching staff. But it does not seem like Blackburn is one of those reclamation projects they’ve been able to turn around.