The New York Yankees have risen to first position in the American League East division, owing in large part to one of the major leagues’ greatest bullpens.
The Yankees relief corps, led by great closer Clay Holmes, has the MLB’s second-best ERA and the most saves. However, at least one player, Oakland A’s flamethrower Mason Miller, might be a trade asset come deadline time, prompting the Yankees to try to upgrade in a playoff push.
According to Zach Rymer of Bleacher Report, the Yankees could give prospects Roderick Arias, Chase Hampton, and Everson Pereira in exchange for Miller.
“The first thing to know about Miller is that, at least on a pitch-to-pitch basis, he’s the top hurler in Major League Baseball right now,” Rymer said.
The New York Yankees Might Deal Several Top-5 Prospects for Mason Miller
As Miller has risen to the top of the MLB closer rankings, the Oakland Athletics have considered dealing him, but they will not give him away cheaply.
“Naturally, teams are phoning the Oakland Athletics about trading for their 100-mph closer, right-hander Mason Miller. And, of course, the A’s are asking for a lot in return,” Ken Rosenthal wrote for The Athletic. “No team has come close to matching the A’s price, according to a team source. Maybe no team will.
However, Rymer believes a deal is possible if the Yankees are ready to give up their number-three, fourth, and fifth prospects. Crucially, they would retain the top two players in their farm system.
“Three top 100 prospects for Miller? “That’s more like it,” Rymer concluded. “Arias, a switch-hitting shortstop with at least three good tools, has limitless potential. However, none of these players are called Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones, both of whom would be perfect acquisitions for Oakland. “The latter appears to be pretty much off-limits.”
Mason Miller Could Be the New York Yankees Closer of the Future
Even said, giving up this much for Miller may appear to be a mistake given how effectively the bullpen has performed thus far. However, Miller is still in pre-arbitration, earning only $740,000 this season, but Holmes is slated to enter free agency and presumably sign a rich contract following this year.
Looking ahead, the Yankees may consider Miller as a key tool in their quest for a World Series championship this season and in the future.
“Holmes is set for free agency this winter… So trading Miller would have the effect of lining up his heir apparent. “And it’s not like he’s not needed in the meantime,” Rymer added. “Jonathan Loáisiga’s season-ending elbow surgery created a void in the Yankees’ bullpen. Furthermore, its 2.63 ERA does not imply invincibility. This bullpen has the sixth-lowest strikeout percentage in MLB, which might be a ticking time bomb.
Miller’s upside is that he’s already one of the most sought-after trade deadline commodities in MLB this season — a flamethrowing, shutdown closer — and has the ability to command the Yankees bullpen for years to come.
Leave a Reply