BLOCKBUSTER: The Padres Drop Their Nuts On The Table And Trade For A's Flame Throwing Closer Mason Miller

Justine Willard/Athletics. Getty Images.

Last night as the A's led by two in the bottom of the 8th against the Mariners, the camera panned to the pen to see their star closer Mason Miller sitting down in a hoodie and not warming up. The fact that Miller hadn't pitched since Saturday raised all the flags in the world that something was brewing behind the scenes. Turns out AJ Preller was happening and when he sets his eyes on a trade piece there are no prospects that will get in his way. About an hour ago the deal got done, Mason Miller you are a San Diego Padre. 

Holy fucking moly. You wanna talk about a blockbuster trade? You got it. Leodalis De Vries was seen as untouchable for the most part in any trade, but not here. The A's land him here for their prized closer as the NL playoff picture gets delivered an earthquake. 

Let's talk about this for both sides. Obviously for San Diego they get one of the more electric pitchers in the game. The Padres have one of the best bullpens in the game, but their closer Robert Suarez, who leads the league with 30 saves, has a player opt out after this season which he's absolutely going to use. With Miller under control through the 2029 season that makes Suarez expendable for the next six hours of the deadline if the right deal comes along. Starting pitcher JP Sears also heads to the Padres in the deal which probably spells out they're going to try and flip Dylan Cease as well. Or they can keep everyone and truly go all out for this thing. Preller really is a lunatic. 

For the A's this is a no brainer move in my opinion. The last thing a mediocre/bad team needs is a great closer. To get back the number 3 prospect in baseball + 3 other arms for a relief pitcher is an outstanding haul. De Vries likely becomes the face of the team by the time they move into their new digs in Vegas. As great as Miller is, trading him now was the move. For a max velo guy like he is, that UCL can snap at any moment. In May of 2023 he sprained that ligament and was shut down. This was a 10/10 move for the A's. 

What a life change this has to be for Mason Miller. You go from pitching with zero stakes on the line in a depressing fucking minor league ball park to now the middle of a postseason race and a division title fight (only 3 back of LAD) in front of a sold out 40,000 seat Petco Park every night. 

I can't wait to watch him pitch in meaningful games.