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Phillies Named Top Team in Potential Trade for Athletics All-Star Closer

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jul 21, 2025 7:55 PM ET

The MLB trade deadline is a time for fans to speculate on which of the best players from other teams will come to their favorite team. For the Philadelphia Phillies fandom, Mike Trout is a name always linked to the team at the deadline.

Last year's trade deadline, the Phillies and plenty of other teams began to be especially interested in the same player: Athletics closer Mason Miller.

The electric closer has drawn interest from around the league, but the Athletics have been steadfast in shutting down trade rumors.

But, according to a new report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Athletics may be open to moving Miller. And if they do, Rosenthal believes that the Phillies are numebr one on the list of team's who could trade for him.

"Which teams might tempt the A's?" Rosenthal wrote. "The Philadelphia Phillies, who reached agreement Sunday with free-agent reliever David Robertson, probably would be No. 1 on the list."

The Phillies could be interested in Miller, and not only that, they'd also be the top team in Rosenthal's mind who could land him. Unsurprisingly, the asking price for Miller will be steep.

He's just 26 years old, is under team control through 2029, and costs just $760,000 this season. He's in year three of his big-league career, and he has an All-Star nod and some of the most electric stuff on the mound.

Miller, according to Baseball Savant, has the highest average fastball velocity at 101 MPH. Only Jhoan Duran (another Phillies trade target) and Seth Halvorsen have average velocities above 100 MPH.

This season, Miller has a 4.04 ERA in 35 appearances with 19 saves, and 57 strikeouts to 17 walks. While his ERA is much higher than his previous season (2.49 as an All-Star), his FIP is in great shape (2.87).

He hasn't been at his best this season, but he still has some of the most potential of any reliever in the game. He'd be an incredible addition to the Phillies bullpen, and while he'd cost a ton to acquire, it could be worth it.

Rarely does a player of his caliber become available, especially at his age and control. Miller would be an incredible pickup for the Phillies, as the team desperately needs bullpen help.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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