Mason Miller's name has come up in trade scenarios yet again. The first time this happened, it was because he shut down the New York Yankees in the Bronx. This time, it's becauseMiller won't be a free agent until the 2029 campaign is over, and he won't reach arbitration until after next season. He is making the league minimum, $740,000 this year, and next year he'll make $760,000. He also has the most fWAR among all relievers this season , a 55% strikeout rate, and a -0.
Rosenthal mentions some top-tier prospects that could be shipped to Oakland in exchange for Miller, and the question that has to be weighing on the front office is when the team feels like they could actually contend. Despite the better-than-expected start , a playoff spot still feels a little out of reach.
There's also the elephant in the room to contend with. This is the A's last season in Oakland, which means no fan base is necessarily claiming the team at the moment. If they were going to make this deal happen, this would be the year to do it. Not only would the A's add a prospect or two that could be difference makers in the team's new home, but they also wouldn't have to face any fan backlash for trading Miller.
If the A's are going to truly start spending money on the roster in the coming years, then they only have so much time left to get up to their usual tricks. The question of whether the A's will trade Mason Miller depends upon his health, and the risk they want to take on that front.Jason is the host of the Locked on A's podcast, and the managing editor of Inside the A's. He's a new father and can't wait to take his son to his first baseball game at the Coliseum.