Naturally, teams are calling their 100 mph closer, right-hander Mason Miller to the Oakland Athletics in pursuit of trade interest. And naturally, the A's are asking for a ton in return.
According to a team source, no team has come close to meeting the A's asking price. Perhaps no team will do this. The 25-year-old Miller is not only Oakland's best young player, but also one of the best players of his time. To acquire him, a team would likely have to give up a young player with comparable ability, or a larger package of several youngsters who could be a part of the A's future.
Thus, if the Padres wanted Miller at this early stage, the A's would likely ask for rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill. Other teams will also be affected by similar requests. Baseball Trade Values estimates that a fair deal with the Baltimore Orioles would include two of Keith Law's top 100 prospects: corner infielder Coby Mayo (No. 27) and outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. (No. 64).
Miller, making $740,000 this season, is not eligible for arbitration until 2026 and is under club control until 2029.
However, the A's would not refuse to trade him. Teams discuss virtually all players. The performance of most relievers has been inconsistent. And Miller missed nearly four months last season with a mild UCL sprain in his right elbow.
The A's, on the other hand, say they plan to increase their payroll and improve their roster as they prepare for their scheduled move to Las Vegas in 2028. Miller can play a vital role in that process, giving credibility and identity to the franchise. It plans to spend three seasons in Sacramento.
Its value is very high at this time. Miller has helped fuel the A's surprising 18-21 start, going an impressive 8-of-8 in save opportunities. He not only gives the team its best chance to remain competitive, but also its most attractive figure since 2021, when the Oakland roster featured Matt Olson, Matt Chapman and Sean Murphy alongside Frankie Montas, Sean Mania and Chris Bassitt. Were included.
In 16 1/3 innings, Miller has struck out 33 while allowing only seven hits and four walks. His 55 percent strikeout rate is by far the highest among major-league relievers. His ERA is 1.10. Their opponents have a batting average of .125. And his expected numbers in both categories – 0.76 ERA, .087 batting average – are even better.
No pitcher in baseball throws harder – Miller's average fastball velocity of 100.8 mph is slightly ahead of Jhoan Duran of the Minnesota Twins, who is at 100.7. The A's could, theoretically, replace Miller with setup man Lucas Erceg, who has the sixth-highest average fastball velocity at 98.6. But the 1-2 punch of Erceg and Miller in the final innings has proven incredibly valuable.
Talks about a trade for Miller will likely continue until the trade deadline, unless he gets injured or is moved early. If he goes, the return figures will be substantial, perhaps even staggering. Otherwise A need not worry.
(Photo of Mason Miller: Rich Schultz/Getty Images)