Why Yankees should trade for Athletics' Mason Miller

As we start counting the hours until MLB’s trade deadline passes at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, one team has made a surprising pivot on a transformational player. In the turn of events that could reshape the bullpen market — for big spenders, that is — the Athletics are willing to shop Mason Miller after previously declining to do so.

According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, the New York Yankees are one team that has inquired about the star closer, but there are some questions surrounding their ability to nab him. Rosenthal wrote this for The Athletic:

“The Athletics, in their talks for closer Mason Miller, have focused on teams with top-end young pitching … The New York Yankees also have been involved in the talks, but are more focused on adding pitching than subtracting it.”

The Yankees have a clear pitching problem this season. Injuries have ravaged both their rotation and bullpen, most notably shelving Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt for the year. Entering Wednesday, the Yankee bullpen is responsible for a 4.25 ERA (20^th in the league). A reliever like Miller could quickly bring order to the dumpster fire that is the New York relief corps, but how far are the Yankees willing to pursue him? As per Rosenthal, the Phillies have asked, and the price was exorbitant.

“From the Philadelphia Phillies, the A’s asked for Andrew Painter, according to sources briefed on the discussions.”

The Yankees have just three prospects on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects list: INF George Lombard Jr. (No. 29), RHP Carlos Lagrange (No. 94) and RHP Cam Schlittler (No. 95), none of whom are Painter (No. 8). Because they have made the future a priority (by refusing to deal for high-priced rentals) and now that the rotation has become a central concern, it is highly unlikely that the Yankees pull the trigger even if the Athletics do. A trade like that would likely mean giving up both Lagrange and Schlittler (if not Lombard). Should the Yankees trade Schlittler, this would again open a spot in the rotation.

Even so, Miller is an attractive, long-term fix. He is under control through 2029, and for cheap. Depending on the market for Miller, the Yankees could still land him with the few pieces they have to offer, but any deal between them and the A’s would be a long shot.

Miller is throwing to a 3.76 ERA with 59 strikeouts through 38.1 innings this year. His 101.1 mph average fastball velocity is the highest in the game. Last season, the now soon-to-be 27-year-old closer rocketed himself into the spotlight, pitching to a 2.49 ERA with an awe-inspiring 104 strikeouts in 65 innings.