In a startling move that sends the game’s most dominant reliever across the state and to another league, the Athletics have agreed to trade Mason Miller to the San Diego Padres, perhaps signaling a greater revamp to come at Petco Park.
Miller, 26, has struck out 14.2 batters per nine innings in his two full seasons as a reliever, and this year has posted a 1.01 WHIP while fanning 59 batters in 38 ⅓ innings and nailing down 20 saves.
The Padres also acquired left-hander JP Sears, a workmanlike back-end rotation presence who has a 4.95 ERA in 22 starts this season.
While Miller might have been seen as a franchise cornerstone as the A’s make their way from Oakland to their Yolo County stopover in Sacramento all the way to Las Vegas – perhaps by 2028 – the club clearly saw too much upside in San Diego’s return.
San Diego paid a stiff price to pry Miller from the A’s, sending them 18-year-old high Class A shortstop Leo DeVries, a consensus top five prospect in the game and the Padres’ top trade chip.
The Padres, meanwhile, are perched just three games behind the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, and hold the No. 3 NL wild card spot. Reports indicated the club might be willing to buy and sell this deadline, and perhaps flip All-Star closer Robert Suárez to gain payroll flexibility.
Now, they have the roster latitude to do so. Or, they could keep Suárez and pair him with Miller alongside an utterly dominant bullpen featuring All-Stars Jason Adam and Adrian Morejon along with Jeremiah Estrada.
The Padres will also send RHP Braden Nett, RHP Henry Báez and RHP Eduarniel Nuñez to the A’s in the deal.
Mason Miller trade details
San Diego Padres receive:
RHP Mason Miller
LHP JP Sears
Athletics receive:
SS Leo De Vries (MLB.com’s No. 3 overall prospect)
RHP Braden Nett
RHP Henry Báez
RHP Eduarniel Nuñez
Mason Miller contract
Mason Miller is making $740,000 in 2025 and is under team control through 2029.
This story has been updated to include new information.