JUST IN: Major trade sees Phillies land standout player in 4-player deal

The Philadelphia Phillies, currently leading the National League East with a 30-13 record, are off to an impressive start this season. Despite their early success, a recent trade proposal by Bleacher Report suggests the Phillies could further bolster their roster by acquiring superstar pitcher Mason Miller from the Oakland Athletics.

The article highlights Miller’s exceptional performance, stating that “on a pitch-to-pitch basis, he’s the top hurler in Major League Baseball right now.” This suggests that adding Miller to the Phillies’ already strong pitching staff, led by Zach Wheeler, could elevate the team’s chances of success even higher.

The Phillies’ current roster features several standout players, including Bryce Harper and Trea Turner, who have contributed significantly to the team’s early-season dominance. However, the proposed trade would bring in another elite talent in Miller, potentially giving the Phillies an even stronger edge over their division rivals, particularly the Atlanta Braves, who currently trail the Phillies by two games in the standings.

Several recent trade proposals have suggested sending top prospects to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for their star pitcher Mason Miller.

One proposal from Bleacher Report would have the Philadelphia Phillies acquire Miller in a four-player deal, sending three of their top prospects to Oaklan]. Another proposal from Sports Illustrated would see the New York Yankees trade three of their top five prospects to the A’s for Miller.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have also been linked to a potential trade for Miller, with a proposal that would send three of their top 30 prospects to Oakland in a four-player swap[3][5]. The Dodgers are reportedly targeting Miller to bolster their pitching staff.

While the specifics of the proposed trades vary, they all center around the Athletics parting with Miller in exchange for a significant haul of top prospects from the acquiring team. Miller’s dominant start to the 2024 season has made him a coveted trade target, with multiple contenders reportedly willing to part with their best young talent to land the talented right-hander.

Acquiring Mason Miller from the Oakland Athletics would come at a significant cost for the Philadelphia Phillies, who do not currently have one of the best farm systems in baseball. The 25-year-old Miller is still in the pre-arbitration stage of his contract, making just $740,000 in 2024, and will not be arbitration-eligible until 2026 or a free agent until after the 2029 season.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, “To acquire him, a team likely would need to give up a young player of comparable ability, or a substantial package of multiple youngsters who could be part of the A’s future.” The trade proposal from Bleacher Report suggests the Phillies would need to part with three of their top five prospects, two of whom are ranked among MLB’s Top 100 prospects.

The proposed deal would send Miller to Philadelphia in exchange for pitcher Mick Abel (Phillies No. 3 prospect, MLB No. 63), outfielder Justin Crawford (Phillies No. 4, MLB No. 65), and shortstop Starlyn Caba (Phillies No. 5). While the Phillies’ top prospect, Andrew Painter, is not included in the trade, the package would still represent a significant investment of the team’s top young talent.

Despite the high cost, adding Miller to the Phillies’ already strong pitching staff, led by Zach Wheeler, could elevate the team’s chances of success even higher. The Phillies’ bullpen is already a strength, and Miller’s dominant start to the 2024 season has made him a coveted trade target for multiple contenders.

The Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen has been a focal point of discussion, with various sources highlighting its strengths and potential for the 2024 season. The bullpen features key relievers like Jose Alvarado, Seranthony Dominguez, and Orion Kerkering, contributing to the team’s competitive edge. Despite past struggles, the Phillies’ bullpen is now considered a top-ranked unit, showcasing elite talent and depth that positions them as a force to be reckoned with in the MLB.

The Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen is currently a strength of the team, with a solid core of relievers including José Alvarado, Jeff Hoffman, Orion Kerkering, and Matt Strahm. Since Kerkering’s return from the injured list on April 14, this quartet has combined to pitch 42 innings, allowing only four earned runs.

The Phillies’ current closer, Alvarado, has been effective, converting all eight of his save opportunities with a 3.57 ERA in 17 2/3 innings. The addition of Mason Miller to this bullpen would bring a superstar closer into the mix, further bolstering the team’s relief corps.

Miller has been one of the top relievers in MLB this season, boasting a 0.98 ERA in 18 1/3 innings across 14 games. He has also been perfect in save situations, converting all eight opportunities, and has struck out an impressive 38 batters.