Unsurprisingly, teams have been calling the Oakland Athletics with interest in trading 160 mph closer right-hander Mason Miller. And, of course, the A's want a lot in return.
According to team officials, no team has come close to the A's price yet. Probably no team would do that. Miller, 25, is not only Oakland's best young player, but also Oakland's best player. To acquire him, the team would likely have to part with a young player of equal caliber, or a substantial package of multiple young players who could be part of the A's future.
So if the Padres wanted Miller at this early stage, the Athletics would likely request rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill. Other teams will likely face similar demands. Baseball Trade Values reports that a fair contract with the Baltimore Orioles would include corner infielder Coby Mayo (No. 27) and outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. (No. 27) among Keith Law's top 100 candidates. It is estimated that two people (ranked 64th) will be involved.
Miller is making $740,000 this season, but is not eligible for arbitration until 2026 and is under club control until 2029.
However, the A's won't rule out trading him. Teams discuss virtually every player. Most relievers have inconsistent performance. And Miller missed about four months last season with a mild UCL sprain in his right elbow.
Meanwhile, the Athletics say they plan to increase payroll and improve their roster in preparation for their planned move to Las Vegas in 2028. Miller could play a key role in that process, giving the team credibility and identity. He will spend three seasons in Sacramento.
His value is extremely high at this point. Miller helped the Athletics get off to an incredible 18-21 start, going a perfect 8-for-8 on save chances. Not only does he give the team the best chance to stay competitive, but he's also a great addition to Oakland's roster, which also includes Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, and Sean Murphy, as well as Frankie Montas, Sean Manaea, and Chris Bassitt. He is also the most attractive person since 2021.
Miller pitched 16 1/3 innings and had 33 strikeouts, allowing just seven hits and four walks. His 55 percent strikeout rate is by far the best among major league relievers. He has an ERA of 1.10. His opponent batting average is .125. And his expected numbers in both categories (0.76 ERA, .087 batting average) are even better.
There is no pitcher in baseball that throws a faster ball. Miller's average fastball velocity of 160.8 mph is slightly higher than the Minnesota Twins' Joan Duran's 100.7 mph. In theory, the Athletics could replace Miller with setup man Lucas Erceg, who has the sixth-highest average fastball velocity at 98.6. However, the one-two punch of Erceg and Miller in the closing stages proved incredibly valuable.
Talk of a trade for Miller will likely continue until just before the trade deadline, unless he gets injured or moves sooner. If he leaves, the payoff will be substantial, perhaps even phenomenal. Otherwise, A doesn't need to worry about it.
(Mason Miller Photo: Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
