Yankees sign former Mets pitcher in objectively egregious move before Red Sox series

On Wednesday, just before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees recalled pitcher Allan Winans from Triple-A to fill the final role on the pitching staff after they had placed Brent Headrick on the IL the day before.

On Thursday, hours before the start of a four-game series against the Red Sox, the Yankees optioned Winans back to Triple-A in favor of one of the most questionable signings you'll see all year: they added former Mets pitcher Paul Blackburn to the active roster.

In no world are we advocating for Winans as an integral piece of the pitching staff, but how does Blackburn solve anything? The right-hander has been nothing but injured (and awful) for the Mets ever since arriving in Queens at last year's trade deadline.

He's dealt with four different injuries and has made just 12 appearances, which subtracted 0.7 WAR from the Mets over that span. He has a 6.00 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 48 innings at the MLB level dating back to last year.

Are the Yankees expecting to blow out/get blown out by the Red Sox multiple times this weekend in order to use Blackburn in garbage innings? Do they have a crystal ball telling them that's what's going to happen? Otherwise, nothing here makes sense.

Yankees News: NYY signs former Mets pitcher Paul Blackburn to MLB contract

Yankees fans will gladly help themselves to an extra large serving of crow if this move pans out, but nobody can genuinely see that happening. Blackburn has endured arguably the worst stretch of his career in 2025, surrendering 18 earned runs on 31 hits and 8 walks across 23 2/3 innings. Though Winans has pretty much been just as bad in his limited action this season, there was little reason to make this swap.

Blackburn has more experience, yes. He's a former All-Star (2022), yes. Most of his work comes from pitching in the American League, yes. But there are few positives to take away here outside of the fact he's managed to limit hard contact. But does that really matter if opponents are teeing off against you in different ways?

Blackburn's made 12 rehab starts in the minors this year which have gone far better (3.09 ERA, 1.12 WHIP), but it hasn't translated to the next level. There could be a possibility in which the Mets weren't utilizing him correctly or emphasizing the correct pitches, but that coaching staff has done pretty incredible work with a decimated pitching group up until the last month or so.

On the same day the Red Sox promoted one of their hottest hitting prospects to join the active roster, the Yankees countered with this. Bad, bad vibes.