The San Diego Padres strengthened their bullpen by acquiring ace reliever Mason Miller from the Oakland Athletics ahead of the 2025 MLB season’s critical late stretch. This trade not only impacts the Padres’ chances but also holds significance for the Athletics, who received a highly ranked prospect in return, marking a rare milestone in MLB trade deadline history.
Top Prospect Leo De Vries Highlights Rare Trade at Deadline
One of the key figures the Athletics received in the trade is shortstop prospect Leo De Vries, who is ranked No. 5 on the latest Baseball America Top 100 list. The acquisition of De Vries signifies the first time since 2017 that a top 10 prospect has been involved in an MLB Trade Deadline deal. This fact was highlighted by Baseball America editor-in-chief JJ Cooper, who shared on X the rarity of such trades involving elite prospects.
Leo De Vries (No. 5 on the recently updated Baseball America Top 100) will be the highest-ranked prospect to be traded at the deadline since Eloy Jimenez (No. 5 in 2017). No other top 10 prospect has been traded since 2017.
—JJ Cooper, Baseball America editor-in-chief
Mason Miller, who made 38 appearances for the Athletics this season, boasts a 3.76 ERA with 20 saves and a WHIP of 1.02. His fastball frequently exceeds 100 mph, providing the Padres with an impactful addition to their bullpen as they look towards the final phase of the season. Miller’s presence shifts from Northern California to Southern California, strengthening San Diego’s pitching depth.
Athletics’ Bold Trade Reflects Strategy Beyond Free Agent Moves
Sports analyst Chad Jennings from The Athletic described the Athletics’ decision to trade both Mason Miller and starting pitcher JP Sears as a bold move. While the prospect package Oregon acquired is impressive, this trade signals Oakland’s commitment to reshaping their roster through more than just offloading players with impending free agent status.
Trading Mason Miller and JP Sears was bold,
—Chad Jennings, The Athletic
Potential Additional Moves by Athletics Before Deadline
The Athletics could still be active in the final hours of the MLB Trade Deadline, which closes at 6 p.m. Eastern on Thursday. Jennings pointed out that while Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs remain valuable trade candidates, the team may also consider moving controllable players like 23-year-old left fielder Tyler Soderstrom. Soderstrom, with 19 homers this season, is currently blocked at his two best defensive positions but holds appeal in an offense-starved market.
Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs stand out as obvious trade chips, but what about controllable left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, who’s blocked at his two best positions? This market is screaming for offense, and Soderstrom is a 23-year-old with 19 homers.
—Chad Jennings, The Athletic
Receiving a prospect of De Vries’ caliber provides the Athletics with a foundation to nurture talent as they look toward the future, especially with their planned move to a new stadium in Las Vegas in the coming seasons. This long-term vision may be driving their active participation in this year’s trade deadline.
With only hours remaining before the deadline, it remains to be seen if the Athletics will finalize more trades, either to strengthen their prospects further or reshape the roster with young phenoms aimed at future success.