Why the Padres should (and shouldn't) trade star closer Mason Miller at the 2026 MLB trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When it's MLB trade deadline season, the San Diego Padres are typically big players one way or another. That likely won't change in 2026 — but A.J. Preller has much different decisions to make than usual.
While Preller's Padres have become known for their all-in mentality on the trade market, acquiring stars and big bats late in the summer with goals to make a playoff push, San Diego has been floating in no-man's land this season. The last two years, the Padres were clear deadline buyers, on their way to consecutive playoff trips. Now, sitting at a clean .500 as of Monday (53-53), things are far less clear.
On one hand, San Diego could buy, or stand pat, in hopes of making a playoff push. Or, if Preller isn't convinced on the Padres' chances, they may have the best trade chip on the market: closer Mason Miller, who has had a historic reliever season and will likely wind up with down-the-ballot NL Cy Young Award votes.
Should the Padres deal Miller while his value is sky-high? Or should they hold onto Miller, hoping their rotation and bats can pick up enough slack to make the postseason? Here's the case for both arguments on the two-time All-Star closer.
#trade #season
When it's MLB trade deadline season, the San Diego Padres are typically big players one way or another. That likely won't change in 2026 — but A.J. Preller has much different decisions to make than usual.
While Preller's Padres have become known for their all-in mentality on the trade market, acquiring stars and big bats late in the summer with goals to make a playoff push, San Diego has been floating in no-man's land this season. The last two years, the Padres were clear deadline buyers, on their way to consecutive playoff trips. Now, sitting at a clean .500 as of Monday (53-53), things are far less clear.
On one hand, San Diego could buy, or stand pat, in hopes of making a playoff push. Or, if Preller isn't convinced on the Padres' chances, they may have the best trade chip on the market: closer Mason Miller, who has had a historic reliever season and will likely wind up with down-the-ballot NL Cy Young Award votes.
Should the Padres deal Miller while his value is sky-high? Or should they hold onto Miller, hoping their rotation and bats can pick up enough slack to make the postseason? Here's the case for both arguments on the two-time All-Star closer.
#trade #season
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