Mets pad staff with starter Blackburn, 'pen arms Brazoban, Zuber

NEW YORK -- Sensing weakness in both their depleted rotation while also looking to fortify a bullpen that’s faced adversity all season, the Mets dealt for three pitchers prior to Tuesday's Trade Deadline, acquiring starter Paul Blackburn from the A’s, and right-handed relievers Huascar Brazoban and Tyler Zuber from the Marlins and Rays, respectively. Each deal cost the Mets one prospect.

The moves capped a busy Trade Deadline for the Mets, who had previously acquired outfielder Jesse Winker from the Nationals and relievers Phil Maton and Ryne Stanek from the Rays and Mariners.

TRADE DETAILS
Mets receive: RHP Paul Blackburn
A’s receive: RHP Kade Morris (Mets’ No. 25 prospect)

Mets receive: RHP Huascar Brazobán
Marlins receive: INF Wilfredo Lara (Mets’ No. 22 prospect)

Mets receive: RHP Tyler Zuber
Rays receive: RHP Paul Gervase

Blackburn, 30, has made just nine starts this season due to a stress reaction in his right foot, from which he recently recovered. He is 4-2 with a 4.41 ERA and has been markedly consistent the past two seasons, producing a 4.35 ERA over 215 innings from 2022-23 with the A’s. Blackburn throws in the low 90s with his fastball, relying on a six-pitch mix to keep hitters off-balance.

The right-hander is under team control through 2025, making this more than just a Deadline rental for the Mets. He’s making $3.45 million this season and will be due for a raise in arbitration next year.

The Mets have been seeking starting pitching in earnest since Saturday, a day after Kodai Senga strained his left calf in his season debut. Senga will almost certainly miss the rest of the regular season, and the Mets don’t have a ton of clarity regarding another rotation member, Christian Scott, who has a sprained UCL in his right elbow.

Currently, the Mets possess little starting depth outside of their starting five of Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana, David Peterson and Tylor Megill. Blackburn gives them more of a margin for error.

Brazoban, 34, produced a 2.93 ERA with the Marlins after missing the first month of the season due to visa issues. He’s been one of the game’s better relievers at suppressing hard contact over the past three years, allowing just 99 hits over 121 1/3 innings.

Zuber, 29, began the season with the independent Long Island Ducks before signing with the Rays in May. The right-hander spent most of his time in Tampa Bay’s organization at Triple-A Durham, where he compiled 29 strikeouts and a 2.49 ERA over 18 appearances. He recently earned a promotion to the Majors, allowing one run over his first 3 1/3 innings. Zuber also spent time at the highest level with the Royals from 2020-21.

The price for these trades was a trio of relatively low-ranking prospects. Morris, 22, was the organization’s third-round Draft pick in 2023 and 25th-ranked prospect overall. He has 95 strikeouts over 92 1/3 innings and a 3.51 combined ERA between Single-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn. Lara was the club’s 22nd-ranked prospect thanks to his intriguing blend of speed and power. Gervase, a 6-foot-10 right-hander who was taken in the 12th round in 2022, held a 3.25 ERA over 22 relief appearances at Double-A Binghamton.