Mason Miller Won’t Be Traded

It’s hard to believe that the trade deadline is quickly approaching. Teams that are postseason-bound will be looking to shore up positional needs for their stretch runs. Oftentimes, these kinds of teams are on the lookout for bullpen pitchers who are available at the deadline. One closer that has captured the imagination of every fan base is Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller. Miller’s electric fastball has helped propel him to a 2.20 ERA and 13 saves so far this season. While he may be on every contending team’s fan’s wish list, Mason Miller won’t be leaving Oakland at the deadline.

Mason Miller Has Been Electric This Season

Before the season began, Oakland decided to move Miller to the bullpen to preserve his health. Despite all that is surrounding the Oakland Athletics this season, Mason Miller has shined above it all. Armed with a fastball that averages over 100.7 mph, Miller is 1-1 with an ERA of 2.20, 57 strikeouts, and a 0.827 WHIP. Opponents are also only hitting .139 against Miller this season. While the A’s want to make him a starter, Mason Miller is proving to be a great closer. Given that the Athletics are having another losing season, many fan bases are fantasizing about having Miller be their team’s closer.   

It’ll Require An Uncomfortably Significant Haul To Get Miller

The Oakland Athletics currently have five more years of control over Miller. This also means that Mason Miller won’t be eligible for free agency until 2029. At the deadline, Oakland will certainly dangle him out to teams. However, a team would have to mortgage their entire future to acquire him! For example, if the San Diego Padres were interested in acquiring Miller, Jackson Merrill would be the starting point of the deal. The package would also have to include top prospects as well. I don’t see any contending team willing to make that size of a deal just to acquire a closer.

He Still Has Starter Potential

Mason Miller was originally drafted by the Athletics as a starting pitcher. However, due to suffering a UCL injury last season, Oakland moved him to the bullpen to preserve his health. Miller’s move to the bullpen is only meant to be temporary as Oakland is still interested in making him a starter. Mason Miller has ace-like stuff, Oakland has a lot of team control left on Miller, and there is still plenty of time to try and develop him into a starting pitcher. If the Athletics were to trade him now, they’d be giving up on Miller way too early.

There Are Closers Who Can Be Acquired For Significantly Less

There are plenty of closers who will be available at the trade deadline that will cost way less to acquire. Tanner Scott, Ryan Helsley, Carlos Estevez, Kyle Finnegan, and others won’t require the haul Miller would. All those guys are just as capable as Miller is in helping a contending team during the stretch run. While every team in baseball would love Mason Miller, it isn’t worth ravaging a farm system for him. Teams will be more inclined to keep the future in the balance rather than getting tunnel vision.

He’s The Only Positive Thing The Team Has Going For Them

Mason Miller’s success is the only positive thing the Oakland Athletics have going for them right now. Trading him would just bring even more negative backlash to the organization. The A’s have constantly talked about spending more money after leaving Oakland. However, trading Miller wouldn’t help that narrative. Athletics fans need something to cheer about in the franchise’s final season. Although the organization has shown a blatant disregard for the fan base, giving them the “parting gift” of keeping Miller is the least they can do.

Miller Is Staying With the A’s For The Rest Of The Season

While the Oakland A’s may dangle Mason Miller in trade talks, they won’t deal him away. Teams won’t be willing to pay what it’ll cost to acquire him. Oakland has plenty of control remaining on Miller, his move to the bullpen was for health reasons, and Oakland should still try and continue to develop him into a starter. Mason Miller’s success is the only fun thing the A’s have going for them given the negativity that surrounds them. Keeping Miller is also the least the team can do for the neglected fan base. If the Athletics want to show they’re somewhat serious about putting a competitive product on the field, then they’ll have to keep Mason Miller. I don’t apologize for ruining every fan base’s dream of acquiring the fireballer.

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