Mets Make Pitching Moves Before Trade Deadline

In a flurry of activity before the Trade Deadline, the New York Mets made several strategic moves to strengthen their pitching staff. Facing challenges with a depleted rotation and a struggling bullpen, they traded for three pitchers, securing starter Paul Blackburn from the A's and right-handed relievers Huascar Brazobán and Tyler Zuber from the Marlins and Rays, respectively.

Each trade involved parting with a prospect, with the Mets keen to bolster their roster for the remainder of the season. This set of trades adds to their earlier moves, including the acquisition of outfielder Jesse Winker from the Nationals and relievers Phil Maton and Ryne Stanek from the Rays and Mariners.

Paul Blackburn, 30, who has struggled with injuries this season, has only made nine starts due to a stress reaction in his right foot. He comes with a recent recovery and holds a 4.41 ERA, posting a 4.35 ERA over 215 innings for the A’s during the last two seasons. The right-hander brings a six-pitch mix to the mound, giving him tools to keep hitters off balance.

Under contract until 2025, Blackburn is seen as more than just a rental for the remainder of the season; he’s making $3.45 million this year and will likely see a raise in arbitration next year. The Mets have been desperate for starting pitching after learning that Kodai Senga may miss the rest of the regular season. Additionally, they are uncertain about another pitcher, Christian Scott, who’s grappling with a sprained UCL in his right elbow.

As it stands, the Mets have limited depth in their starting lineup, mostly relying on Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana, David Peterson, and Tylor Megill. Adding Blackburn gives them some much-needed depth and breathing room.

Meanwhile, Huascar Brazobán, the 34-year-old reliever, has had a standout season with the Marlins, posting a 2.93 ERA after overcoming visa issues at the start of the year. Over the last three years, he has earned a reputation for successfully suppressing hard contact, allowing only 99 hits over 121 1/3 innings.

The Mets also brought Tyler Zuber on board, a 29-year-old reliever who initially started the season with the Long Island Ducks before signing with the Rays. He showcased an impressive performance in Triple-A Durham, racking up 29 strikeouts and a 2.49 ERA over 18 appearances before his promotion to the majors, where he’s allowed just one run across 3 1/3 innings.

In these trades, the Mets let go of a few relatively low-ranking prospects. Kade Morris, the organization’s 25th-ranked prospect, was a third-round pick in 2023, boasting 95 strikeouts in 92 1/3 innings with a 3.51 ERA across Single-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn. Wilfredo Lara, another prospect, intrigued scouts with his mix of speed and power, while Paul Gervase, a towering right-hander standing at 6-foot-10, had a solid 3.25 ERA over 22 relief appearances at Double-A Binghamton.