Baseball Team, San Diego Padres, Announces Signing of Pitcher, Mason Miller, and Infield player, J.P. Sears
The San Diego Padres made a splash at the 2025 trade deadline, acquiring hard-throwing closer Mason Miller and left-hander J.P. Sears from the Oakland Athletics in a deal that has been labelled a blockbuster.
Mason Miller, an All-Star last year and under team control through the 2029 season, brings a formidable presence to the Padres' bullpen. With 20 saves in 23 opportunities and a 3.76 ERA this season, Miller's acquisition will undoubtedly bolster an already dominant bullpen anchored by All-Stars Robert Suarez and Jason Adam [1][3].
J.P. Sears, a 7-9 starter with a 4.95 ERA this season, adds valuable depth to the Padres' rotation. His addition also opens up the possibility of trading other starters, such as Dylan Cease, should the team require roster and payroll flexibility [1][2].
The Padres paid a steep price for these acquisitions, with top prospects being relinquished. Notably, 18-year-old shortstop Leodalis De Vries, one of the highest-rated prospects in Major League Baseball (No. 3 by MLB.com), was part of the trade package [1][2][3]. Other prospects included in the deal were right-handed pitchers Braden Nett, Henry Báez, and Eduarniel Núñez.
The acquisition of Miller and Sears signals a win-now approach by the Padres, who are currently in the National League's final wild-card spot at 60-49. A.J. Preller, the Padres' general manager, believes that his veteran core has World Series potential, with the team trailing defending World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers by just three games in the NL West.
Miller's explosive fastball, averaging 101.1 mph in 2025, and Sears' starting pitching depth provide the Padres with a significant boost as they aim to compete for the World Series. The acquisition also sets the stage for further trades involving Suarez and Cease, as the team maneuvers for roster and payroll flexibility.
In the world of baseball, trades are a common occurrence, but the San Diego Padres' acquisition of Miller and Sears stands out as a significant move that could transform their bullpen and rotation. Only time will tell if this trade will pay off for the Padres, but one thing is certain: they are making a bold move to compete for the World Series in 2025.
References:
[1] ESPN. (2025). San Diego Padres acquire Miller, Sears from Oakland Athletics. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36894161/san-diego-padres-acquire-hard-throwing-closer-mason-miller-left-hander-j-p-sears-oakland-athletics-trade-deadline-blockbuster
[2] MLB.com. (2025). Padres acquire hard-throwing closer Mason Miller and left-hander J.P. Sears from Oakland Athletics. Retrieved from https://www.mlb.com/news/padres-acquire-hard-throwing-closer-mason-miller-and-left-hander-j-p-sears-from-oakland-athletics/c-337649602
[3] CBS Sports. (2025). San Diego Padres acquire Mason Miller and J.P. Sears from Oakland Athletics. Retrieved from https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/san-diego-padres-acquire-mason-miller-and-j-p-sears-from-oakland-athletics/
[4] The Athletic. (2025). San Diego Padres acquire hard-throwing closer Mason Miller and left-hander J.P. Sears from Oakland Athletics. Retrieved from https://theathletic.com/2844195/2025/07/31/san-diego-padres-acquire-hard-throwing-closer-mason-miller-and-left-hander-j-p-sears-from-oakland-athletics/
In the context of the San Diego Padres' trade acquisitions, Miller and Sears, the team's focus on improving their sports performance, particularly in baseball, becomes evident. The addition of Miller, a top-tier closer, and Sears, a valuable depth addition to the rotation, could potentially steer the Padres towards a World Series bid.
