CBS Sports, like many other sports media companies, are monitoring what teams are likely to do ahead of the 2026 MLB trade deadline. In less than two weeks, dozens of players will be on the move, transitioning between organizations as teams either try to improve their rosters or initiate/continue rebuilds.
As is the case every year, there are multiple All-Stars and high-profile players that are rumored to be on the trade block. Among these is two-time All-Star closer Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres. Unlike many other big-name players that are on the block, Miller has a few more years of club control remaining. This, of course, means the price would be higher for any team that would be interested in acquiring him.
CBS Sports analyst does not believe Mason Miller will move at the MLB trade deadline
The Padres are certainly a team that many believe will be sellers at the MLB trade deadline. At 50-51, they are 13.5 games out of first place in the National League West Division, but just two games out of the final NL Wild Card spot.
Of course, the fact that they are so close to a Wild Card spot has also led some to believe they may not want to part with controllable talent, such as Miller. That is certainly the case for CBS Sports, who predict that he will be staying put this year.
“Things are trending south for the Padres, who’ve had one of baseball’s lowest scoring offenses all year and are now watching their pitching begin to crumble,” a recent article stated. “You can never rule out president of baseball operations A.J. Preller doing something aggressive and/or irrational, though it’s becoming clear San Diego should sell at the deadline.
“My next bold prediction says yes, the Padres will sell, but they won’t go all the way and trade all-world closer Mason Miller. Rental relievers Jason Adam and Adrian Morejon will be dealt, maybe even Michael King, but Miller will stay put. Preller’s goal will be to retool around Miller and contend next year, not start a full-blown rebuild.”
Miller is 2-1 with a 0.86 ERA and 25 saves so far this season. As he has three more seasons of club control remaining, there is no wonder that many contending teams would love to have him on their own rosters.
But the Padres are not that far off from being a contender, even with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division. Keeping Miller may be in their best interest, at least for now.
More Sports Media News from Last Word on Sports
・Karl Ravech and Tom Pelissero among those fired by ESPN
・ESPN fired Ryan Clark mid-show, and it’s pretty clear why
・ESPN announces new 30-for-30 podcast, “The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani”