The San Diego Padres significantly enhanced their bullpen following trade deadline moves on Thursday, positioning themselves with one of the strongest pitching staffs in Major League Baseball. In pursuit of a deeper playoff run, the Padres, trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers by three games in the NL West, are now better equipped to contend for the division and postseason success with the addition of Mason Miller.
All-Star Arms Provide New Tactical Options
Mason Miller, a 2024 National League All-Star, joins San Diego’s roster alongside two-time NL All-Star closer Robert Suarez, who leads MLB with 30 saves this season. The Padres plan to keep Suarez as their primary closer, while Miller will be utilized as a powerful reliever in high-leverage situations, offering manager Mike Shildt greater flexibility to deploy his bullpen effectively throughout games and the demanding season ahead.
General Manager Highlights Impact of Bullpen Depth
Padres general manager AJ Preller acknowledged the importance of the bullpen upgrade, emphasizing the potential to shorten games and rest relievers more frequently. This strategy aims to keep San Diego’s pitching staff fresh during the intense regular season and into October.
“Like we’ve seen so far through the first 100 games, if we have an opportunity to shorten the game, you want to take that,” said AJ Preller. “I think also it gives Mike (Shildt) an opportunity to mix and match with the ’pen, an opportunity certain nights to be able to go to one set of relievers and give guys an opportunity to get a little bit of a rest and a blow and be fresh for, hopefully, what’s a long run here for the rest of the regular season and into the postseason.” —AJ Preller, Padres General Manager
Additional Moves Strengthen Starting Rotation
Alongside Mason Miller, the Padres acquired starting pitcher JP Sears from the Athletics and added All-Star starter Nestor Cortes via trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. These trades not only enhance the bullpen but also deepen the starting rotation, providing San Diego with a more balanced and formidable pitching staff for the stretch run.
Costs of Upgrading: Trading Away Top Prospect
In exchange for Miller and Sears, the Padres parted with their No. 1 overall prospect, Leo De Vries, marking a noteworthy sacrifice as San Diego has faced scrutiny for trading away elite prospects in recent years. This included the 2022 trade of MacKenzie Gore, a 2025 All-Star and their former top prospect, to the Washington Nationals.
Preller admitted to the difficulty of the decision but stood by the move as necessary for immediate success.
What This Means for the Padres’ Postseason Outlook
With a bolstered bullpen anchored by Miller and Suarez, combined with reinforcements in starting pitching, the Padres have enhanced their chances to compete at a higher level in October. The increased pitching depth provides the team with greater strategic latitude and the ability to keep arms rested as they push to overcome the Dodgers and make a meaningful playoff run.
As the NL West race tightens, these moves could prove critical for San Diego’s sustained success and postseason performance.