The Athletic’s Jim Bowden put together a poll of MLB executives in order to understand what they believe will happen at the trade deadline. Bowden revealed that Athletics closer Mason Miller’s name was continuously mentioned in these trade rumors.
“The A’s received plenty of trade offers for Miller over the past couple of years, but they’ve always shied away. However, this year could be different if they plan to keep him in the closer role,” Bowden wrote. “Miller has converted 17 saves of 20 save opportunities with a 4.55 ERA and 52 strikeouts over 31 2/3 innings. He’s averaged 100.9 mph on his fastball for a second consecutive year, and batters are hitting just .122 against his wipeout slider.
“There are multiple teams that would love to trade for Miller and transition him to starting as they believe he could develop into an ace. Miller, 26, is under team control through 2029, so the return in a trade for him would have to be massive.”
Trading Miller is a very slippery slope. If the Athletics are going to trade Miller for more prospects, then they could also trade anybody on their roster for prospects. At a certain point, they’re going to need to hold onto their stars to make a push toward winning.
But if they do shop him, teams like the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Detroit Tigers have the prospect capital and aggressiveness to go after him.
Los Angeles could package Bobby Miller and James Outman in a deal to land the Athletics’ closer.
The Red Sox could use Jarren Duran as the headliner in a trade, and the Tigers have one of the best farm systems to deal from.
If the Athletics can add big league talent in the deal, it could make sense.
More MLB: Dodgers One-Time Top Prospect Gaining Steam As Intriguing Trade Chip
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