Paul Blackburn Earns Grade A After Stellar 2026 Season in New York Yankees Bullpen

Paul Blackburn starred as a setup man for the New York Yankees in 2026, earning an 'A' grade after posting a 1.59 ERA and 248 ERA+ with 85.0 innings pitched over 62 appearances. Acquired from the Mets in 2025, the pending free agent thrived in a multi-inning setup role, utilizing a 54 percent groundball rate, hard sinkers to righties, and an improved changeup to anchor one of the league's best bullpens and earn a shot at a new contract.