A’s closer Mason Miller draws trade interest, but the asking price is steep

Naturally, teams are calling the Oakland Athletics with trade interest in their 100 mph closer, right-hander Mason Miller. And naturally, the A’s are asking for a ton in return.

No team has come close to meeting the A’s price, according to a team source. Perhaps no team will. Miller, 25, is not only Oakland’s best young player, but also their best player, period. To acquire him, a team likely would need to give up a young player of comparable ability, or a substantial package of multiple youngsters who could be part of the A’s future.

Thus, if the Padres wanted Miller at this early stage, the A’s likely would ask for rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill. Other teams would be hit with similar requests. Baseball Trade Values estimates a fair deal with the Baltimore Orioles would involve two of Keith Law’s top 100 prospects: corner infielder Coby Mayo (No. 27) and outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. (No. 64).

Miller, earning $740,000 this season, is not eligible for arbitration until 2026 and is under club control through 2029.

The A’s, though, will not rule out trading him. Teams entertain discussions on virtually all players. The performance of most relievers is volatile. And Miller missed almost four months last season with a mild UCL sprain in his right elbow.

On the other hand, the A’s say they are planning to ramp up their payroll and improve their roster as they prepare for their scheduled move to Las Vegas in 2028. Miller could play an important role in that process, giving the franchise credibility and identity during the three seasons it plans to spend in Sacramento.

His value, at the moment, is extremely high. Miller has helped fuel the A’s surprising 18-21 start, going a perfect 8-for-8 in save opportunities. He gives the team not only its best chance of remaining competitive but also its most compelling figure since 2021, when the Oakland roster included Matt Olson, Matt Chapman and Sean Murphy, along with Frankie Montas, Sean Manaea and Chris Bassitt.

In 16 1/3 innings, Miller has struck out 33 while allowing only seven hits and four walks. His 55 percent strikeout rate is by far the highest among major-league relievers. His ERA is 1.10. His opponents’ batting average is .125. And his expected numbers in both categories — 0.76 ERA, .087 batting average — are even better.

No pitcher in baseball throws harder — Miller’s average fastball velocity of 100.8 mph ranks just ahead of the Minnesota Twins’ Jhoan Duran, who is at 100.7. The A’s, in theory, could replace Miller with setup man Lucas Erceg, who has the sixth-highest average fastball velocity at 98.6. But the 1-2 punch of Erceg and Miller in the late innings has proven incredibly valuable.

The talk about trading Miller likely will continue right up until the trade deadline, unless he is injured or gets moved sooner. If he goes, the return figures to be substantial, perhaps even staggering. The A’s otherwise need not bother.

(Photo of Mason Miller: Rich Schultz / Getty Images)