The New York Mets are the protagonists of the market, as several teams are interested in signing their pitcher, Paul Blackburn. The player is not having a leading role in the team and with an “excess” of players in that position, the Mets are open to listen to offers and get rid of the player.
The Mets’ willingness to let Blackburn go is due to an “overcrowding” of pitchers and they could therefore let one go. The team has a good roster and is also waiting for the returns of Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea, who were injured, but could soon return and continue to add options in those positions to the team.
Blackburn has not performed badly, quite the opposite, but he has become a kind of wildcard and this does not give him the prominence he desires and may deserve. The player has served as a long reliever and is also in the final year of his contract, which further arouses the interest of other clubs because it would not be difficult to bring him in.
Potential stakeholders
Among the teams reportedly considering Blackburn as a new signing are the Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros.
The signing would not be difficult, as Blackburn has a fairly high salary and the fact that he is not going to renew his contract means that the Mets have greater facilities to offer him to other teams that want to give the player a greater role.
The rotation dilemma for the Mets
While Blackburn’s departure could ease things a bit, the Mets know they have a problem with the rotations. With young players coming through, established figures in the team and the return of injured players, it seems that the team has a positive problem, but even so it is not so easy to find the solution.
Five men will be part of the rotation and there are many available. Blackburn’s departure is the most viable option, but it is far from solving the whole issue. The team’s management has a difficult task and we can only wait and see how they solve it.
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