In the end, the New York Yankees have brought back an old friend.
Right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn hit free agency this offseason, but after finishing the 2025 season with the Yanks, he's slated to begin 2026 back in the Bronx, too.
Late Saturday night, ESPN's Jorge Castillo reported that the Yankees and Blackburn are in agreement on a one-year contract for $2 million.
Blackburn is a 32-year old, 6-foot-1 righty.
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He was originally a first-round pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2012 out of a California high school.
He actually made an All-Star team once during his eight years in Oakland to begin his career.
Blackburn then spent a couple of partial seasons with the New York Mets before joining the Yankees midway through 2025.
He threw in eight games with the Yanks, a total of 15.1 innings, and had a 5.28 ERA.
Blackburn struck out 9.4 batters per nine innings in his small Yankees sample size.
He's not a guarantee to have a key role, but because of his past experience as a starter, he can serve as a swingman of sorts for the Yankees' bullpen if that's what they need out of him.
It's a low-cost signing, but Blackburn is a guy who should definitely throw some innings in pinstripes in 2026.
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