SAN DIEGO — As usual, San Diego Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller is active on most of the big names available at the trade deadline. In addition to his continued pursuit of outfielders Jarren Duran and Steven Kwan, he is also pushing for Athletics closer Mason Miller, sources briefed on the Padres’ discussions told The Athletic.
Considering the top-heavy state of the Padres farm system, Preller might need to part with elite shortstop prospect Leo De Vries or well-regarded catching prospect Ethan Salas to acquire any of the above players. Indications are, the executive is willing to at least discuss them.
Miller, like Duran or Kwan, would come at a heavy cost. The 26-year-old right-hander is leading the majors in average fastball velocity while earning just $765,000 this season, with four additional seasons of club control. The Padres this month sent three relievers to the All-Star Game, but they are considering potential trades of one of those pitchers, closer Robert Suarez, who is making $10 million and can opt out of his contract after the World Series.
The Padres, working with limited financial flexibility, are also discussing the possibility of moving starting pitcher and pending free agent Dylan Cease.
Miller, who started six games as a rookie in 2023, appeals to San Diego as a pitcher who could be stretched out next season, if not before then. Another top Padres starter, Michael King, is expected to test free agency this winter. In recent years, the Padres have converted several former relievers to full-time starters, including King, Seth Lugo and Stephen Kolek.
Duran and Kwan would similarly fit within the Padres’ budgetary goals. Duran is earning $3.75 million with an $8 million team option for 2026 that would go away if he is traded before next season. (Duran remains arbitration eligible through 2028.) Kwan, who is club controlled through 2027, is making $4.18 million.
Before acquiring third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, the Cincinnati Reds inquired on Kwan but were not comfortable with the price, according to sources familiar with those discussions. A league source said the Cleveland Guardians’ last extension talks with Kwan occurred in spring 2024.
The Padres’ ability to land Duran, Kwan or Miller could hinge on their willingness to surrender De Vries. Though Salas has not played since April because of a stress reaction in his lower back, De Vries has held his own as a 19-year-old in High A. The Athletic’s Keith Law recently ranked De Vries as the No. 13 prospect in baseball.
— The Athletic’s Katie Woo contributed to this report.
(Photo of Mason Miller: Sergio Estrada / Getty Images)
Source link
