The San Diego Padres have made a major move before the MLB trade deadline by acquiring All-Star closer Mason Miller and starting pitcher JP Sears from the Oakland Athletics.
In return, the Padres gave up a big package of young talent, including one of baseball’s top prospects, Leo De Vries.
Full Trade Breakdown
Padres Receive:
– Mason Miller (closer)
– JP Sears (starting pitcher)
Athletics Receive:
– Leo De Vries (No. 3 overall prospect)
– Braden Nett (RHP, Padres No. 3 prospect)
– Henry Baez (RHP, Padres No. 13 prospect)
– Eduarniel Nunez (RHP, Padres No. 17 prospect)
Mason Miller Brings Firepower to an Already Strong Bullpen
Mason Miller, 26, has already proven himself as one of the top closers in the league. This season, he’s posted a 3.76 ERA with 20 saves in 38 appearances. Last year, he had a brilliant 2.49 ERA and 28 saves, which earned him his first All-Star selection.
In his three-year MLB career so far, Miller owns a 3.16 ERA and 48 total saves. Now he’ll join a dominant Padres bullpen, led by fellow All-Stars Robert Suarez and Jason Adam. Suarez leads the league with 30 saves, while Adam has a sharp 1.89 ERA.
The Padres bullpen already has the best ERA in MLB at 2.97, and adding Miller just makes them even more dangerous.
JP Sears Adds Depth to the Rotation
JP Sears, 29, is a solid addition to the Padres’ starting rotation. He has a 7-9 record with a 4.95 ERA in 22 starts this season. Over his career, he has gone 29-39 with a 4.48 ERA. Though not flashy, Sears gives the Padres more reliable depth as they aim for the postseason.
Who Did the Padres Give Up?
The biggest name going to the Athletics is Leo De Vries, the No. 3 overall prospect in baseball. At just 18, he’s shown power and speed, hitting .241 with 19 home runs, 84 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in the minors.
The Padres also included three strong pitching prospects:
Braden Nett, 23, has a 3.39 ERA this season and has been solid in Double-A.
Henry Baez, 22, has impressed with a 1.96 ERA in 20 starts.
Eduarniel Nunez, 26, has been consistent across 219 minor league appearances with a 3.89 ERA.
Where the Teams Stand Now
The Padres are red-hot, currently on a five-game winning streak with a 60-49 record. They sit second in the NL West, just three games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. They face the St. Louis Cardinals next at home.
The Athletics, on the other hand, are in last place in the AL West with a 48-63 record. Still, they’ve won six of their last seven games and will take on the Arizona Diamondbacks next.
The Padres made a clear statement with this trade: they’re going all-in for a playoff run. By adding Mason Miller and JP Sears, they’ve boosted both their bullpen and starting rotation. For the rebuilding Athletics, the trade adds four talented young players, including a top shortstop prospect in Leo De Vries.
Only time will tell who wins this trade long-term, but for now, San Diego looks ready to make some serious noise in the National League.
