Completing the series (Cubs & Tigers) regarding possible trade partners for Athletics closer Mason Miller, we arrive at the Philadelphia Phillies. With a glaring need for reliable, high-leverage arms in the bullpen, we get the Philly perspective from Ethan Witte of SB Nation’s TheGoodPhight.com on potential deals for Mason Miller.
Proposals
Proposal #1
Andrew Painter
This is probably the one that the A’s would ask for to begin any discussion. Painter is one of, if not the, top pitching prospects in the game. There was even a day when he was ranked over Paul Skenes! He’ll arrive this July and should be making an impact in short order. He projects as a top of the rotation arm, a true capital “A” Ace in the game.
Proposal #2
- Aidan Miller
- Eduardo Tait
- Mick Abel
- Micah Ottenbreit
If Painter isn’t going to be part of a deal (and he won’t), then Aidan Miller would be. The top position player prospect in the Phillies’ system, he looks like a future All-Star at either third base or shortstop. Tait is a catcher in Low-A that hits for power and decent contact as well. Abel has already debuted this year in Philadelphia and looks much better than in years past. His prospect sheen dimmed a bit, but he’s bounced back in 2025 with more control, more strikeouts and looks like a mid-rotation starter at best. Ottenbreit would be a wild card. He’s missed a few years due to injury, but is getting back on the mound in 2025 with good control. He could be a sleeper pick in 2026.
Proposal #3
- Justin Crawford
- Aroon Escobar
- Mick Abel
This is a deal that would possibly tempt the Phillies. Crawford should jump into the starting outfield for the Phillies were they not sure his swing would translate to the majors. It’s been the big question of his development, but all he’s done is hit in the minors. Escobar is an ascending middle infielder whose hit tools and power are developing rapidly. This is a name that is going to start to make the rounds in prospect circles soon. Abel, we’ve already mentioned.
Which deal would hurt the Phillies the most?
As far as which deal would hurt the Phillies, the obvious choice would be trading Painter. He’s one of those pitchers that looks as though he will be special, the kind of starter that is appointment viewing when his turn is up. Though the Phillies have starting pitching depth now, Painter could ascend to the top of that rotation in just a few years’ time thanks to a combination of his ascendance and the others in the rotation simply getting older. If the A’s were to ask for Painter in a deal for Miller, the Phillies would flatly say “no”.
The other deal there would hurt the Phillies in as much as they don’t have a lot of top end talent in their farm system, but the ones they have are good. Miller looks like a player that will be in contention for a few All-Star teams while Abel has already provided some stability to the rotation that is missing Aaron Nola. Tait is far enough away and is a catcher that he might not be what his current projection looks like, but he’s done nothing to dim his star. Getting four years of control of Mason Miller would be costly, but if the team were sure that Nola was going to be healthy for the stretch run, they miiiiiiiiiiiiight consider something like this. Ultimately, the insistence on the team adding Aidan Miller to the deal would probably be the deal breaker
Where would closer rank amongst the top team needs for Philadelphia?
With Jose Alvarado being suspended and banished from the playoffs, having a lockdown closer would make the Phillies’ bullpen look that much better. Other roles would be better defined, though the team likes using its best relievers in high leverage situations in October. Would Miller be alright with coming into the game in the seventh or eighth innings instead of finishing the game? Ranking it among the team needs, it would probably be 1B behind adding an outfielder that can play left field for them
Other A’s players the Phillies could realistically target?
Probably not. The team would want to acquire someone for the bullpen that is able to be reliable in high leverage spots and outside of Miller, there aren’t many Athletic options.
(Top photo of Citizens Bank Park. Courtesy: Ryan Carpenter/Unsplash)
