Oakland A’s pitcher Mason Miller is seen here throwing to the Seattle Mariners line up in the top of the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue May 2, 2023 back when he was a starter. Since converting to the closer role in 2024 Miller has seen lots of success in save situations. So much so other big league clubs have express interest in his services including the New York Yankees. (AP file photo)

A’s Mason Miller could be traded

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

A team in transition like the Oakland A’s (Oakland until September 26) is always building for the future, especially with so many moving parts right now for the Athletics, cities, new stadiums, and lawsuits, referendums. A possible trade this season that involves A’s closer Mason Miller is very likely. It all depends on the situation and where the A’s are in the standings. Or maybe not, considering the unpredictability of the A’s ownership.

The A’s will be asking for a big package of promising players, but I think this will have to wait until at least the middle of the season. Let’s say the A’s continue to improve, and they are fighting for the western division title on July 31. What do you do?

Various teams have reportedly expressed interest in the 25-year-old “lanzallamas.” Two teams expected to be contenders, the Orioles and the Cubs, are probably the types of teams that are one stud short in the ninth inning, a closer away from pulling the trigger.

The A’s might still have Miller and not be contenders, and if that is the case, the probability of a trade increases. This applies to the A’s and the other teams that want to trade for Miller. How are they doing when they also pull the trigger? Is there urgency? The A’s hold all the cards with Miller since he is still under A’s control until 2029, so they can wait. If you are a negotiator, you want to start with an advantage, and the Oakland A’s have it today with Miller.

The lifespan of a young closer throwing high-octane doesn’t last forever. Free of injuries, there have been very few Mariano Riveras out there, the type of pitcher who has owned the ninth inning for years.

Finally, I would not be surprised if the Oakland A’s traded Miller during this 2024 season, and you also should not be. But let’s face it: For a young and very good team like the Baltimore Orioles, that is their focus. A team like the O’s might need that one piece, a “lights out” closer, to win the World Series this year. But the Orioles should not be over-excited. The Baltimore Orioles have not won a World Series since 1983 (41 years), and they are today one of the elite teams in the game.

Is it Miller time?