The MLB trade deadline on Thursday was one of the most active in recent years, and the San Diego Padres were one team that made a flurry of moves, yet again, under the operations of A.J. Preller.
Some of the huge moves San Diego made on Thursday included the addition of the Athletics' Mason Miller and JP Sears to help improve the pitching staff. The Padres also added a 2025 All-Star, Ryan O'Hearn, and outfielder Ramon Laureano from the Baltimore Orioles. This move prioritized the Padres' struggling defense while adding a consistent bat to their lineup.
San Diego's decision to go get Mason Miller despite having two dominant relief pitchers in Robert Suarez and Jason Adam was questionable to many. The Padres had to let go of their top prospect in their farm system, Leo De Vries, to complete the trade.
With this being said, the organization will have high expectations for Miller, a 26-year-old who was an All-Star in 2024. Insiders believe that there's a chance that Miller could even make a role change with his new team.
"Miller, who throws the league’s fastest heater, is under team control through 2029, and if the Padres need to trade him in the future, he’ll still have plenty of value for a couple of years. Or, maybe Miller will finally, eventually start," said The Athletic's Zach Meisel.
Miller debuted with the Oakland A's in 2023 and was originally a starting pitcher, making six starts that season. They moved him into a closing role because of his ability to throw a speedy fastball and their need for a reliable relief pitcher at the time.
There's no certainty behind what San Diego will do with their young addition. Mason Miller is under team control through the 2029 season, and he will now join a contending team in the Padres for the first time in his career.