Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller is likely to attract considerable attention leading up to the MLB trade deadline. The A’s appear reluctant to trade the 25-year-old hard-throwing pitcher, as reported by Jim Bowden of The Athletic. Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles have emerged as potential landing spots for Miller. However, unless they present an exceptional offer, it is improbable that a deal will be completed, according to Bowden.
The Dodgers have a reputation for bolstering their pitching staff, showcasing their emphasis on pitching depth. On the other hand, the Orioles, who are once again competitive, are eager to enhance their roster in order to contend with the New York Yankees in the highly competitive American League East.
Despite being at the bottom of the American League West, the Athletics are expected to be sellers leading up to the deadline, with other players on their roster likely available. Although trade offers for Miller may be considered, it seems that the A’s are not actively seeking to trade the talented closer, despite the supposedly interested Dodgers and Orioles.
It’s a tough period for fans of the Athletics as the team undergoes a significant rebuilding phase and prepares to relocate from Oakland soon. Despite these challenges, Mason Miller brings a sense of excitement to Athletics enthusiasts.
In 2023, Miller showed promise by posting a solid 3.78 ERA in 10 games, with six of those as starts. However, the Athletics made the strategic decision to transition him into a full-time closer role in 2024.
This move has proven to be highly successful.
Currently boasting an impressive 2.12 ERA and 12 saves, Miller may not top the league in saves due to the team’s standings. Nonetheless, thanks to Miller, the Athletics have a strong chance of securing victories when leading in the 9th inning.
Miller’s pitching velocity is remarkable, evident in his 55 strikeouts in just 29.2 innings pitched. In only his second season in the major leagues, he has risen as a standout player.
There’s no incentive for the Athletics to trade him away at this point. With several years of team control remaining, the Athletics can shape their bullpen around Miller as a key building block.
What happens if the Athletics decide to trade Miller to the Dodgers, Orioles, or another team?
Teams looking to acquire Miller should be ready to part ways with some of their top prospects. Since the closer is under team control for the foreseeable future, the Athletics are not under pressure to trade him.
Nonetheless, Oakland recognizes that leveraging his trade value could potentially accelerate their rebuilding process. By trading Mason Miller, the Athletics could realistically secure multiple top prospects in 2024.
The Dodgers and Orioles are particularly intriguing trade partners as they possess sufficient prospect assets to facilitate a trade. Other competitive teams also hold a notable amount of prospect capital.
Despite these possibilities, it is likely that Miller will remain with Oakland beyond the 2024 trade deadline. However, history has shown that surprises can unfold in July.
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