With the 2025 MLB trade deadline just a week away – set for July 31 at 6 p.m. ET – teams are scrambling to bolster their pitching staffs. Once deemed “untouchable”, the Oakland Athletics may be willing to consider trades for their flamethrowing All-Star closer Mason Miller – but he won’t come cheap.
Mason Miller Was Once Marked Untouchable by the A’s
The interest in Miller isn’t surprising. The 26-year-old isn’t just one of the most electric arms in baseball; he’s also under team control through 2029, giving the A’s maximum leverage in any potential trade talks.
And while Oakland has long considered Miller untouchable, that stance may be softening. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Oakland may be willing to listen when desperate contenders come asking.
“The way the A’s see it, only a few teams are bold enough to propose an offer for Miller worthy of consideration,” Rosenthal said, citing his anonymous league sources. “General manager David Forst might engage those teams as the deadline nears. But for now, he appears willing to let them grow more desperate.”
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Still, Rosenthal noted that the A’s asking price for Miller would be hefty, and the reasons are obvious. Miller is earning just $765,000 in 2025, barely above the league minimum, and he’s under club control for four more seasons through salary arbitration.
That’s a rare combination of long-term value, elite stuff in the bullpen, and affordability, which makes him arguably the most valuable bullpen asset on the trade market.
Why Mason Miller’s Trade Price May Be Too Costly for Most MLB Teams
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, who broke down his intel on each team in his latest column, Miller is easily the A’s biggest trade asset but also likely the most difficult to pry away – because very few teams can afford what Oakland is asking in return.
“While they could theoretically move Miller, their flamethrowing closer, the price is exorbitant and too rich for teams in need of relief arms,” Passan wrote.
Instead, he noted that A’s who are sellers at the trade deadline will offer their veteran starting pitchers such as Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, and JP Sears. They will also be hoping that contenders find interest in other relievers not named Miller, with Oakland seeking young, controllable pitching prospects in return.
MASON MILLER 104 MPH 🤯
This was the fastest pitch thrown all season 😱
(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/ogvjfm0PvJ
— ESPN (@espn) July 11, 2025
Miller, in his age-26 season, owns a 1-2 record with a 4.04 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts across 35 appearances in 2025. He’s converted 19 of 22 save chances and continues to miss bats at an elite rate. Over the last two seasons, he’s racked up 47 saves in 53 opportunities, making him one of the most efficient closers in baseball.
Dodgers, Phillies, and Yankees Can Afford Miller, But Will They Trade?
For clubs like the Los Angeles Dodgers, who recently lost closer Tanner Scott and are dealing with an overworked bullpen, Miller could be the perfect fix. However, the Dodgers and other interested teams may struggle to meet A’s demands, even though better closers are rare to none in the market.
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The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees are also among the short list of teams with deep pockets and October aspirations. Both are exploring high-leverage bullpen arms, but the A’s are unlikely to move Miller unless multiple top prospects or high-upside young players are part of the return.
In essence, the A’s aren’t eager to trade Miller: They’re simply waiting for a contender desperate enough to pay the premium. One thing is for sure: Oakland holds one of the most valuable chips at the trade deadline, and they know it. Whether anyone’s willing to meet their price remains to be seen.