TRADE: NY Mets Acquire ex-All-Star Starting Pitcher

The New York Mets have added a former All-Star to their rotation, swinging a deal with the Oakland A's to obtain right-hander Paul Blackburn.

The New York Mets are finalizing a deal to acquire right-handed starter Paul Blackburn from the Oakland A’s, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2024

It's a move to shore up the back end of the rotation, after the unfortunate loss of Kodai Senga for the season after just one start. Blackburn has also made just one start since coming back from a two-and-a-half-month absence after suffering a stress reaction in his foot.

The 30-year-old has a 4.41 ERA in nine starts this season, with a 38:14 strikeout-to-walk ratio, in 51 innings. He's a former first-rounder (2012) who has a year of control left after this one. He was an All-Star in 2022 for the A's.

The Mets are sending young pitcher Kade Morris to the A's in return. He was a 3rd round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and has posted a 3.51 ERA this season at two levels in A-Ball.

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