Athletics Manager Suggests Mason Miller Trade Amid Padres Interest
Is star closer Mason Miller heading to the San Diego Padres?
With the MLB trade deadline less than 24 hours away, rumors about Miller’s future have been swirling. On Wednesday evening, veteran reporter Jon Heyman reported that the Padres are in talks to acquire the dynamic relief pitcher. 
The speculation grew when Miller, despite a clear save situation in Wednesday’s 5-4 win over the Seattle Mariners, did not pitch the ninth inning. When asked about the decision, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay gave a vague response, saying Miller was “unavailable tonight.”
Securing Miller would be a huge win for the Padres. The 26-year-old has quickly become one of the most electrifying arms in baseball, averaging an impressive 101.1 mph on his fastball — putting him in the 100th percentile. His numbers are equally outstanding, with a 39.1% strikeout rate (also in the 100th percentile), a .180 xBA, and a 42.8% whiff rate, ranking him in the 99th percentile. He’s also generating a 35.6% chase rate, placing him in the 96th percentile.
If the Padres manage to land Miller, they would form an even more formidable bullpen, pairing him with Robert Suarez for a dominant one-two punch at the back end. With Jason Adam and Adrian Morejon also sporting sub-2.00 ERAs, the Padres would have one of the most dangerous bullpens in the National League, potentially giving them an edge as they look to close the gap on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
A potential Miller trade would be a classic move by GM A.J. Preller — going all-in to contend this season rather than stockpiling prospects for the future.
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