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San Diego Padres pitcher Mason Miller is the best closer in the game, and it’s not really close. In 39 appearances as of July 20, Miller’s ERA was at 0.89. He has nearly twice as many strikeouts (75) as innings pitched (40.2). He’s walked only 14 in that span, and leads the league with 25 saves.
The Padres paid a pretty penny to acquire Miller last year, trading the now-No. 2 prospect in all of baseball, shortstop Leo De Vries, to the Athletics.
But the Padres aren’t winning enough. As of July 20, they’re 49-50 and in third place in the NL West, way behind the leading Los Angeles Dodgers and 2.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot.
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Is it possible the Padres now try to move Miller for a slew of players that can help the team in the future?
Anything’s possible.
“We’ve been in this spot a couple of times here in the last few years,” Padres baseball operations president A.J. Preller told MLB.com. “Then, we’ve been able to play really well in August and September. But each year is different.”
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The Padres have one of the highest payrolls in MLB and massive long-term contracts that would be very difficult to move.
That includes Fernando Tatis Jr. (owed $266 million through 2034), Manny Machado ($245 million through 2033) and Xander Bogaerts (owed $175 million from 2027-33), not to mention Jake Cronenworth ($48 million from 2027-30), Jackson Merrill ($124 million from 2027-34) and Michael King ($28 million player option for 2027, $30 million player option for 2028) are all signed to deals through at least 2028.
Machado, Bogaerts, Cronenworth, and Merrill are in the midst of fairly disastrous seasons.
“The beginning of the end may have arrived for that roster,” an AL executive told MLB.com. “The Bogaerts contract is a wreck to take on, especially since we don’t know the payroll rules for next year (under the next collective bargaining agreement).”
Moving Miller wouldn’t be nearly as difficult. He is making $4 million this year and is arbitration-eligible for three more seasons, greatly increasing his trade value.
Miller’s arsenal features a blazing fastball of 102 and a devastating slider in the high 80s. An absurd strikeout rate (17 per nine innings) makes him a dream closer.
Preller is known for making aggressive moves, including the one to add Miller. Trading Miller now could net a substantial haul of prospects.
Teams Interested In Trading For Mason Miller
Every team would improve by adding Mason Miller, but only a few have the prospects to make it happen, plus be in a position to win now.
New York Yankees – the Yankees have the second-best bullpen ERA in the majors, behind only the rival Boston Red Sox. The Yankees like to load up for playoff pushes and have one of the Top 10 farm systems going.
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Philadelphia Phillies – The Phils have top-tier starting and potential-filled lineup of hitters. The bullpen has been wildly inconsistent. They’re in the market for an elite relief arm.
Chicago White Sox – The Sox rank 12th in bullpen ERA and have the fifth-best minor league rating overall. They lead the AL Central, but only barely, and could see this is an important piece worth spending big on.
Milwaukee Brewers – Milwaukee might have the best backend bullpen in MLB, and could be more inclined to add a power bat as a first priority. Adding Miller would make the Brew Crew near-impossible to beat if they’re leading after five innings.
Tampa Bay Rays – The Rays don’t spend much, but they’re elite on the starting front and the offensive scores runs. Tampa’s pen ranks 18th and Miller is relatively inexpensive for a few more seasons. A move also keeps Miller out of the Bronx.
Seattle Mariners – The Mariners have the No. 2-ranked minor league system in terms of high-level prospects, behind only the Dodgers (who the Padres surely would not trade with). Adding Miller strengthens a strength for Seattle, similar to Milwaukee.
