The Oakland Athletics have traded Mason Miller and JP Sears to the San Diego Padres, a move that sparked strong reactions from fans who questioned if the team’s approach to player transactions will ever change. This Mason Miller Athletics trade comes as the franchise prepares to relocate from Oakland to Las Vegas, a transition the team hopes will mark a new chapter in its operational philosophy.
Many fans expressed skepticism about the club’s promise of a different future once inhabiting Las Vegas, with a number of posts lamenting the continuation of trading key players long before free agency, a pattern deeply embedded in the team‘s history.
Historical Context of Athletics’ Frequent Player Trades
The Athletics’ reputation for trading cornerstone players is well established, having repeatedly sent away top talent as they near free agency to acquire prospects. Past examples include Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Frankie Montas, Chris Bassitt, Sean Manaea, and Sean Murphy. This recurring cycle dates back years, involving notable players like Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, and Josh Donaldson among others.
Due to this pattern, many fans see each trade as part of an ongoing “fire sale” strategy rather than a new, sustainable approach to team building. The frustration is not just about losing players, but about the seemingly inevitable roster churn that prevents the formation of long-term fan favorites.
General Manager David Forst Addresses Fan Concerns and Future Plans
David Forst, the Athletics’ General Manager, acknowledged the club’s past trading patterns but emphasized that the recent Mason Miller trade should not be seen as a typical sell-off.
“I don’t want to take anything away from Mason and JP, but, ultimately, this was not a sell off. Like there aren’t six, seven big leaguers going out the door. I mean, we actually made an effort this past offseason to keep some guys and brought in some free agents,”
Forst explained. He stressed that the team has developed a core group that now includes Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, and Max Muncy, who were not central figures during last season.
Forst made clear the intention to compete in the 2026 and 2027 seasons and beyond, describing the trade as part of a plan to sustain that competitive window while still developing for the future.
“This is not just about the future. Outside of Leo [De Vries], who is a special talent, the guys we traded for are close to the big leagues. I’m not here to say we’re not going to miss our closer and a guy who takes the ball every fifth day, but we believe we’re in a good position to continue to add as we go forward,”
Forst said.
Pitching Prospects Highlighted as Key Return in the Trade
Among the prospects acquired by the Athletics as part of the trade, Eduarniel Núñez is set to appear in the bullpen soon, demonstrating the team‘s faith in immediate contributions from those they received. Núñez had a brief stint in the big leagues this season, posting a 3.86 ERA over 4 2/3 innings pitched.
Forst also mentioned that both Braden Nett and Henry Baez will start games for Midland in the near future, adding depth to the pitching pipeline.
“Both Braden Nett and Henry Baez will start for Midland in the next few days. I wouldn’t necessarily single anybody out. I think we really liked the entire package. We weren’t going to do something for Mason or let alone for two guys, without feeling really good about the entire deal.”
—David Forst, Oakland Athletics General Manager
Significance of the Trade for Athletics’ Future
The trade of Mason Miller and JP Sears underlines the Athletics’ commitment to balancing immediate competitiveness with long-term development, rather than simply dismantling the roster in a hurried fire sale. The club’s move to Las Vegas represents a strategic shift, promising the retention of key players and increased investment to build a more stable foundation.
While fans remain cautious due to the team’s transactional history, management insists the recent trade marks a new direction where prospects and veteran players will be blended to sustain success beyond the imminent move.
With the combination of emerging position players like Jacob Wilson and Max Muncy, and young pitching prospects ready to contribute, the Athletics aim to remain contenders in the coming seasons, while also preparing for sustained growth and competitiveness well into the future.