With the trade deadline approaching, rumors that Mason Miller could be traded continue to grow.
The San Diego Padres are two games out of a wild card spot and would be the first team out if the postseason started today. They have a talented roster and a very deep bullpen, but lack starting pitching. They could look to deal Miller for some big-league starting pitching and prospects. However, they may not want to part with their star reliever.
"Miller, by the way, seems increasingly likely to stay," wrote The Athletic's Will Sammon, Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo. "Still, the best way for the Padres to acquire a desperately needed controllable starter is trading from the strength of their bullpen."
The Padres will, rightfully, be demanding a haul for Miller. He is the best reliever in baseball, they gave up Leo De Vries, the No. 3 prospect in baseball at the time, and he has multiple years of club control. Perhaps the reason he is likely to stay put is simply that teams cannot meet the Padres' demands.
Miller leads the National League in saves and has a 0.79 ERA. He is a perfect 28-for-28 in save opportunities and is practically a guaranteed win when he takes the mound with a lead. The Padres will need to find a way to get into the postseason to really get the most out of him, and to do that, they need to acquire starting pitching.
