The San Diego Padres are one of the most interesting teams heading into the trade deadline. They are currently 53-53 and are a game and a half out of the last wild card spot. But with the struggles of guys like Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts, many have questioned if they should make a push for the playoffs or sell off some of their pieces. With a guy like AJ Preller at the helm, anything is possible. If the Padres were to sell, their most valuable asset would be Mason Miller. The closer has been great this season, and he would be a target of every contender. But should the Padres trade Miller?
The Pros and Cons of Trading Mason Miller
The Pros
If Miller is put on the market, he instantly becomes one of, if not the best, players on the market. He has been lights out for the Padres this season. In 42 games this season, he has a 0.82 ERA over 43 1/3 innings with 80 strikeouts to 15 walks, a 0.824 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 504. He also leads the National League with 37 game finishes and 27 saves. He took the league by storm with his 34 1/3 inning scoreless streak early this season. When he comes into the game, it’s over.
If the Padres were to move him, they would get a haul in return. The rumor is that everything is on the table when it comes to discussion around Miller. With his numbers plus him being under team control until 2029, he’s someone that you can add to your core. They can get a young MLB player plus at least two prospects on a team top-ten list. That is just the baseline, as they will likely get more. If the Padres want to retool their roster, this type of deal gives it a boost. It could give them multiple players to build around.
The Cons
Although it’s been a strange season for the Padres, they still have a good chance at the playoffs. They’re less than two games out, and the teams ahead of them have serious questions. The St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, and Pittsburgh Pirates are all playing above expectations. It’s unclear whether they can keep this up all season. With the experience the Padres have, they can hang around long enough to jump any of these teams if they start to struggle.
The best way to do that is to have Miller closing games. There is also the possibility that this season is just a fluke. That the inconsistencies and struggles they and their players have gone through are just a one-year thing. They could return to the dominant team they were the previous few seasons. Why would they trade one of their best pieces if they could be back in contention by next season? With him under team control for the next two and a half seasons, you can easily move him next season if they continue to struggle.
Verdict
While it’s tough to sell pieces when you’re close to the playoffs, the best move for the long term is to trade Miller. The core is only getting older with Machado and Bogaerts nearing their mid-30s. Within the next three years, the Padres will have to undergo some sort of retool. However, trading Miller could trade that. If the Padres land three or four players who are close to the majors, they can start the transition process while these aging vets are still producing. Then once they are ready to move on, these young players can take the reins. It will keep the Padres in contention for years to come.
