The 2024 MLB trade deadline is in under two hours, and David Stearns made a move for starting pitching. The Mets have acquired righty Paul Blackburn from the Oakland Athletics, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Blackburn is 4-2 with a 4.41 ERA in 51 innings across nine starts this year with 38 strikeouts.
The Mets sent Kade Morris (No. 27 in Mike Mayer’s Top 50) back to the A’s.
Paul Blackburn. Photo by: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Blackburn started the season strong for the Athletics after throwing 19 1/3 scoreless innings over his first three outings. That set a new Oakland club record since they moved to the city. He got the streak as far as 22 1/3 innings. Unfortunately for Blackburn, he missed time with a foot injury after a couple of rough outings. He was placed on the injured list on May 13. He returned just last Friday to the Athletics starting rotation, going five innings and giving up four earned runs.
Stearns has now added to the backend of a rotation that is missing Kodai Senga (out for the season with a calf injury) and Christian Scott. The 30-year-old is under control through 2025, giving them some insurance next year. He doesn’t have any options remaining.
Stearns still needs to add to the bullpen as the trade deadline continues.
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