Blackburn Returns In The Newest Cheap Cashman Move

 The Yankees did it again. Because of course they did.

Saturday night, the team agreed to re-sign Paul Blackburn on a one-year, $2 million deal. And if your first reaction was “wait… why?” congratulations — you’re still paying attention. There is absolutely nothing worse than a franchise bringing back a player that no fan wanted, asked for, or even remembered. Blackburn checks all three boxes.

Naturally, the New York Post tried to slap lipstick on it.

According to the Post, this is why fans should calm down:

“That is of note because Blackburn offers the ability to start — which the Yankees might need early in the season as they await the returns of Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole — but also can provide innings out of the bullpen.”

Please. Stop. Just stop.

That’s not a selling point — that’s a cry for help. “He can start, or he can be bad somewhere else” is not roster construction. It’s survival mode. And it’s exactly the kind of nonsense spin you get when expectations have fallen through the floor.

Let’s be honest: this move wasn’t smart, bold, or strategic. It was cheap. And that’s why Brian Cashman loves it. Low cost, low commitment, low accountability. Blackburn has zero upside. None. 

And now he’s back. Because mediocrity apparently gets second chances in the Bronx, as long as it’s affordable.

This is what complacency looks like. Cashman isn’t chasing championships anymore — he’s managing payroll optics. And worse, he’s clearly handcuffed by Hal Steinbrenner, who continues to show he is not a serious baseball owner. Hal runs the Yankees like they’re a quarterly earnings report, not a historic franchise built on dominance. Spend just enough to say you tried. Compete just enough to sell tickets.

And Cashman? He’s comfortable with that. Which is exactly why he should resign. Today would be fine.

Now take a look at the 2026 rotation as it currently stands:
Max Fried
Cam Schlittler
Luis Gil
Will Warren
Ryan Yarbrough

If that doesn’t scare the hell out of you, then by all means — keep buying tickets and enjoy another early playoff exit. For me? I’ll always support the players. They didn’t ask for this mess.

But I cannot — and will not — spend another dime supporting this franchise as an institution. The standards are gone. The ambition is gone. And the front office thinks fans are stupid enough to believe that Paul Blackburn is a meaningful move.

They’ve ruined it.
And this signing is just another loud reminder of how far the Yankees have fallen.