Phillies Shockingly Predicted To Deplete Farm System in Blockbuster Trade for All-Star Closer

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Although the Philadelphia Phillies no longer hold the top record in the MLB, they are still among the top teams in the National League.

Philadelphia trails the New York Mets by just a few games, meaning one or two crucial moves at the rapidly approaching trade deadline could help them finish the season atop the NL East. One of their most glaring needs is the bullpen, as manager Rob Thomson can trust few relievers, mainly Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks.

Jose Alvarado being ineligible for the postseason only adds further to the need for bullpen help, especially when considering the Phillies are dying to win the World Series with their current core.

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Could the Phillies Unload Multiple Top Prospects for Mason Miller?

The Oakland Athletics, while outperforming some expectations set prior to the season, are not in a position to contend. Plenty of title-chasing franchises would love to add their All-Star closer, Mason Miller, to the mix, including the Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Given the heavy amount of teams that are likely expressing interest in the 26-year-old, 97.5 The Fanatic’s Mike Missanelli predicts the Phillies could be forced to deplete their farm system for him. The proposed trade sees Philadelphia trade shortstop Aidan Miller (#2 prospect), catcher Eduardo Tait (#4 prospect), and starting pitcher Mick Abel (#5 prospect) for Miller.

“Oh my, you are giving up 2, 4, and 5 for the hard-throwing right-hander Mason Miller,” Missanelli said. “I am in on the deal! Not because I want to give up 2, 4, and 5, but because I am now desperate, and I put myself in that situation, and to cure the desperation, I have to go overboard.”

Miller is valuable and will be for a long time, but giving up Miller, Tait, and Abel for a closer is quite foolish. Despite not being an All-Star for a second consecutive season, he is putting up some impressive statistics once again. He has converted 20 of his 23 save opportunities and holds strong numbers in strikeout percentage (39.1%) and average fastball velocity (101.1).

Regardless of his level of play, it’s near impossible to justify dealing three of the organization’s top five prospects for a closer. Miller’s raw power and potential combined with Tait’s commendable arm behind the plate make it hard to see a reality where the Phillies end up as winners of this deal. A World Series that Miller plays a major role in is the one way it could be a respected move long-term.

“I may regret down the road giving away these kinds of guys, but I’ve got to do it. I get a hard-throwing guy who’s under team control, still a young guy. [I’m] going to have him for a number of years. To me that is worth it. In the years I have Mason Miller, maybe I can fortify some more prospects down in my system… I’m doing the deal,” Missanelli concluded.

If the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native is really available for trade, the Phillies would be wise to stay away if this pitch reflects the true cost.

There’s also nothing close to a guarantee Miller is traded prior to Thursday because he is under the Athletic’s control until 2029. So, Oakland’s front office could very well see him as their closer of the future and retain him for years to come.

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