The Chicago Cubs are a contender, and contenders always need bullpen help at the trade deadline.
Early in the season, the Cubs' bullpen was one of the worst in Major League Baseball, but for the last month, it's surprisingly been one of the best. The names of the relievers who have been getting it done have been a surprise as well.
Daniel Palencia has become the closer and sports a 1.74 ERA. Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz were both picked up off the scrap heap, and they're both killing it as well. But perhaps the Cubs will augment that group with a bit more name value.
Accordingly, one Cubs writer believes Chicago should try to go after one of the most notorious fireballers in the league this summer.
On Thursday, Jordan Campbell of FanSided urged the Cubs to try and trade for Mason Miller of the Athletics. Miller was an All-Star in 2024 and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, but he's off to a slow start in his sophomore campaign.
"Athletics' closer Mason Miller remains a pitcher that the Cubs should be moving mountains and earth to trade for. Miller's inflated ERA, 5.49, doesn't tell the full story of his season as a 5-run appearance against the Marlins last month is doing most of that lifting," Campbell wrote.
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
"For example, on the season, Miller's xERA is at 3.33 and his xFIP is at 2.16. In other words, he is still very good and under team control until 2030."
In all honesty, it would probably be in the Athletics' best interest to trade Miller, though his inflated stats might lessen his value a tick from where it was before the season. Relievers are so volatile, especially hard-throwers, and they can't provide much value compared to starters or position players, even if they're among the elites.
However, other teams have approached the A's about acquiring Miller and their reported price tag has been out of this world. Unless that changes, Cubs fans should be wary about acquiring the 26-year-old fireballer, even in a win-now season.
More MLB: Blue Jays trade proposal would dump Bo Bichette to surging AL rival