San Diego Padres acquire Mason Miller and J.P. Sears
The San Diego Padres have made a significant move to strengthen their pitching staff, acquiring hard-throwing closer Mason Miller and left-hander J.P. Sears from the Oakland Athletics in a trade that involved sending top prospect Leodalis (Leo) de Vries, one of the highest-rated prospects in Major League Baseball, along with multiple other minor leaguers to Oakland.
Mason Miller, an All-Star last year and under team control through the 2029 season, brings a high-velocity fastball averaging over 101 mph to the Padres' already All-Star-studded relief corps. With an impressive 20 saves in 23 opportunities, a 3.76 ERA, and 59 strikeouts this season, Miller is expected to slot in as the team's closer, fitting well with the Padres' bullpen anchored by two All-Stars: closer Robert Suarez and setup man Jason Adam.
J.P. Sears, a left-handed starter, provides the Padres with rotation depth. Although he is 7-9 with a 4.95 ERA this season, Sears has struck out 95 batters over 22 starts, making him an intriguing addition to the Padres' rotation. He may serve as an option for the San Diego rotation, particularly if inconsistent right-hander Dylan Cease is dealt.
The trade comes at a cost, as the Padres sacrificed significant future talent, notably de Vries, one of the game's premier prospects. The 18-year-old shortstop was ranked third by MLB.com and was a key piece of the Padres' farm system. However, this move underscores the team's commitment to immediate contention and building a strong pitching staff aiming for a World Series run.
Meanwhile, other minor leaguers traded include right-handed pitchers Henry Baez, Braden Nett, and Eduarniel Nunez. Baez and Nett are also solid prospects with major-league potential. Nunez made his major-league debut with four appearances for the Padres last month.
Elsewhere in Major League Baseball, the Seattle Mariners cruised to a 6-0 victory over the Texas Rangers as Cal Raleigh homered, Cole Young also went deep, and George Kirby pitched six strong innings. The Atlanta Braves edged the Cincinnati Reds 12-11 in a thrilling 10th-inning finish, with Marcell Ozuna's sacrifice fly driving in Matt Olson with the go-ahead run.
In the National League, the San Diego Padres entered Thursday in the final wild-card spot at 60-49, maintaining a strong position for a playoff run. The trade for Miller and Sears is a clear indication of the team's ambition to compete for the World Series in 2025 and beyond, accepting some farm system depletion in exchange for proven major league contributors with controllable contracts.
Mason Miller's acquisition from the Oakland Athletics, a hard-throwing closer with multiple All-Star appearances, bolsters the San Diego Padres' pitching staff, particularly their relief corps. J.P. Sears, a left-handed starting pitcher, adds depth to the Padres' rotation, providing an interesting option, especially if Dylan Cease is dealt.
