The San Diego Padres stunned Major League Baseball at the trade deadline when they parted with Leo De Vries as part of a massive package to land Mason Miller from the Athletics in the biggest trade in recent history.
Miller was incredible for the Padres and was a huge reason why their bullpen was the most feared in baseball last season. However, less than a year later, Miller's Padres future is uncertain.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Padres are listening to trade offers for Miller and their other incredibly talented relievers. Despite the bullpen being their strength, A.J. Preller could disassemble it for rotation help.
Padres listening intently to trade talks for Mason Miller, other relievers
"The Padres are desperate for starting pitchers, and even listened intently to offers for Miller to get the help they need," Nightengale writes. "A.J. Preller, president of baseball operations, confirmed that they had trade talks involving Miller, but also Adrian Morejon, Jeremiah Estrada, and David Morgan."
With the Padres in dire need of rotation help, Preller is evaluating every way they could address that issue. Trading a reliever like Miller, Estrada, Morgan, or Morejon could help them land a starter, but it would put a big hole in the bullpen.
But, with little money to spend this winter, and an uncertain future thanks to a looming sale of the team, the Padres and Preller will have to get creative.
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Despite just recently spending a fortune on Miller at the trade deadline, the Padres might be considering dealing him away for help in the rotation.
Miller is an All-Star who is 27 years old and under club control through the 2029 season. He had a 0.77 ERA with the Padres in 22 games last season, and projects as the team's closer in 2026.
But this trade rumor from Nightengale opens the door for Miller's Padres tenure to end after just half a season. There's no guarantee Miller, or any reliever, is traded, but it's something Padres fans should keep a close eye on as the offseason progresses.
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