As was the case in 2024, Athletics closer Mason Miller will be a player frequently included in trade chatter over the coming weeks. Despite a bit of a decline from last year’s breakout season, he’s still a star player years away from free agency and can help a contending team down the stretch and land the A’s a significant return.
The A’s would be in no rush to move their closer with the affordable cost and length of team control. But, could a team make them an offer they couldn’t refuse? While any team would want him on their roster, I turned to experts from three teams that could be making a playoff push with a need for bullpen help: the Chicago Cubs, the Detroit Tigers, and the Philadelphia Phillies. First up, we go to the Chicago Cubs and Baseball Tribune and Just Baseball‘s Greg Zumach.
“In creating these trade proposals, I reviewed historical comparisons. Pitchers like Miller are rarely moved, but trades like the one that sent Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox in 2016 can be informative. Additionally, I reached out to individuals in the game to see which prospects were being most talked about within Chicago’s system,” Zumach said.
Proposals
Proposal #1 “Emptying the tank”
Moises Ballesteros (No. 3, 57th overall), IF Jefferson Rojas (No. 5, 74th overall) RHP Jaxon Wiggins (No. 9), LHP Luke Little
Both Rojas and Wiggins represent the two biggest breakouts in the Cubs system. Wiggins is currently adjusting to AA extremely well and looks to have dialed in control. It’s upper 90s velocity into the middle innings paired with a hellacious slider and improving changeup. He’s also added a curveball to lefties this year. If there is any arm in the Cubs system to target, it’s Jaxon Wiggins.
Ballesteros has already had a brief cup of coffee and offensively could add a punch to an MLB team’s lineup. Where he’ll play long term is a question, but for an organization willing to give him the runway, Ballesteros could carve out time at C, 1B, and DH. Rojas just keeps producing against advanced competition in High-A. He appears ticketed for a call up to AA later this year. Luke Little is ready to be in an MLB pen and possibly be an impact arm soon.
Proposal #2 “Finding the right fit”
*In addition to Miller, the Cubs would also acquire LHP Jeffrey Springs
OF Kevin Alcántara (No. 4, 70th overall), IF Jonathon Long (No. 12), RHP Ryan Gallagher (No. 18), RHP Porter Hodge
While Jeffrey Springs has value, the now and later financial cost of the deal takes away from the pure play that Mason Miller is. The Athletics gave up a lot to get Springs and they’d want to ensure they could get value back. In this deal, they acquire an MLB replacement at closer in Porter Hodge. Both Alcántara and Long appear MLB ready this season. Long, in particular, features premier batted ball data that would appeal to many clubs. Ryan Gallagher is another breakout in the Cubs system. Known for control and command at UCSB, Gallagher immediately added multiple ticks to the fastball in pro ball. He is showing he’s much too advanced for High-A and should be in AA shortly.
Which trade would hurt the Cubs the most?
It’s no question the first deal would hurt the Cubs the most. This is a farm system that is begging to keep lower level/upside players. Removing Jefferson Rojas and Jaxon Wiggins in one deal severely hurts the pipeline the Cubs need to sustain what they hope will be an extended run. Moises Ballesteros may not have a clear path to catcher in the Cubs organization, but it isn’t ruled out either. Mason Miller would be an impactful addition, but it only addresses one need in Chicago with starting pitching remaining.
Deal 2 allows the Cubs to absorb the cost with Springs and add a SP in the process. The Athletics cash in a few chips while hedging against the risk that Miller loses value (or gets hurt) while adding MLB ready prospects and players. They save over $17m in the process. Springs could interest the Cubs by providing additional stability in the rotation with an affordable contract in 2026 and $15m team option the following season.
Where does closer rank on the list of team needs at this deadline?
Fans of nearly every team would scream that their bullpen needs to be improved. But with Porter Hodge set to return and a pen that has racked up a top 3 performance since May 1st, adding a closer has become a luxury for the Chicago Cubs rather than a dire need. Still, you never turn down the opportunity to improve your club. Mason Miller is a unicorn and would immediately add firepower to any team’s bullpen.
Are there any other A’s players that the Cubs could realistically target?
Luis Severino: You can never have too much pitching. From a pure pitching standpoint, Luis Severino would fit the Cubs’ best target. He has good stuff (as measured by Stuff+) and lands his pitches in the zone (50.7% Z-rate as of June 12), but his contract could make it difficult for the Cubs to add other pieces.
(Wrigley Field top photo by Heather Maguire)
