Mariners can't beat a trade for Padres' Mason Miller to build their 'super pen'

As rough as it has been for the bullpen in recent weeks, the expectation is that it's going to get better. Matt Brash, Cooper Criswell and Carlos Vargas are all expected back from injury during August. There's been talk of a creating a “super ’pen” for the stretch run, which could feature Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan. However, the Mariners really need to embrace this philosophy, whole-heartedly.

With the Aug. 3 trade deadline fast approaching, the Mariners must aim to add at least one quality reliever to bolster the ranks. Especially with no guarantees of when Brash, Criswell and Vargas will return, with the potential for further setbacks. (Exhibit A being Brendan Donovan.) Pending the M's approach -- with contrasting reports about how aggressive they will be -- they should go for the best, in Mason Miller.

Miller is arguably the top reliever in the game, with a phenomenal stat line which includes a 0.96 ERA, 0.796 WHIP and 48.6 strikeout rate. He ranks in the 100th percentile in a whole host of categories, including Fastball Velo, Hard-Hit% , Whiff% and xBA. On top of this he leads the NL with 23 saves, alluding to being tremendous cover for the recently-improved, but still erratic Andrés Muñoz.

Why would the Padres even consider moving Mason Miller?

Honestly, Miller would emphasize the "Super" part of the bullpen, if the Mariners were able to acquire him. The question is whether the Padres are even prepared to move him, given what he's done for the team? Well, it's a question Mark Feinsand of MLB.com has asked, and there's at least some sense it's possible.

The reason it is even possible is down to how poorly the Padres have struggled of late, now sitting at 46-46 after at one point being 11 games over .500. They're 14.0 games behind the Dodgers at the top of the NL West, and 4.5 games back of the NL's final wild card spot, with the sixth-worst record in the NL. (You just bet they wish they were playing in the AL.)

At the same time, would the Padres really move Miller just one year after acquiring him from the Athletics? It took a significant return package to acquire him, including shortstop Leo De Vries, who's now the No. 2 prospect in the game according to MLB Pipeline. Well, the thinking is a similarly big haul going to San Diego could be what it takes to convince general manager A. J. Preller to part company with the 2024 All-Star.

Just how committed are the Mariners to trying to win it all this season?

The thing is, one NL executive who Feinsand spoke to believes it will be tough for Preller to recoup at the same level as what he gave up last year, just because no other general manager has his mindset. At the same time, the Padres would still probably get a serious return; it's just whether they're prepared to take a bit of a hit value-wise on what the Athletics received from them for Miller.

What you can say is that if any team can afford Miller, it's the Mariners and he would arguably be worth it. Seriously, how many times have they been a shutdown inning short of victory this year? That's why you go all-in and get him, especially if you truly believe you can win the World Series this season.

This could also be the right approach, to lean into pitching being the Mariners' biggest strength, especially in a year when so few impact hitters are available. Plus, Miller is under club control through 2029, so he's not a short-term rental. Yes, such a trade would involve Jerry Dipoto going outside his comfort zone, but this would be the perfect way to prove to the fanbase that the M's are all-in on this season.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow