The Yankees are reportedly reuniting with righty Paul Blackburn, as they are expected to sign him to a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million.
Per Jon Heyman, it’s a $2 million base salary with $500K in incentives: $100K for each threshold of 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 innings pitched.
Blackburn joined the Yankees in August, after the Mets released him following a 6.85 ERA in 24 2/3 innings. He was touched for seven runs in 3 1/3 innings in his Yankees debut on August 23, but allowed just two runs in 12 innings over seven relief appearances after that.
He had been a starter his entire career until last season, making 11 of his 15 appearances out of the bullpen after starting 82 of his 86 career games through 2024, and the incentive structure of the deal lends itself to the idea Blackburn will be potentially stretched out as a starter, at least in spring training.
The Yankees re-signed Ryan Yarbrough, who made eight starts and 11 relief appearances last season in pinstripes, to a similar deal as well, but with Gerrit Cole still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and Carlos Rodon’s season to be delayed due to offseason elbow surgery, the Yankees currently have at least one rotation spot in the early going available behind a likely Top 4 of Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, and Will Warren.