The Yankees are being linked to one of the biggest names that could hit the trade market, and the fit is obvious on paper. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman said the Bronx Bombers “love the idea of adding Mason Miller,” a power arm who would address New York’s need at the back end with current closer David Bednar on the verge of free agency.
That kind of rumor might sound far-fetched at first. Mason Miller being available at all, let alone for a prospect-heavy return, feels like the sort of idea that gets tossed around to stir the pot. But this one is showing up in multiple places, including MLB.com, so it’s not just noise from one outlet.
The Padres, though, are in a tricky spot. They were supposed to be in the NL West race, but instead they went 17-28 over the first half and have spent weeks trying to survive with an aging roster and a pitching staff that has been stretched thin since losing starters Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove to injuries early in the season.
Even so, moving Miller would be a massive signal. It would look a lot like waving a white flag, and that doesn’t line up cleanly with where San Diego sits right now. The Padres got a much-needed rebound over the weekend against the Toronto Blue Jays and pulled back to within 3-1/2 games of a wild-card spot.
If this ever gets serious, the road trip ahead may tell the story. San Diego opens the second half with a chance to pick up at least a couple wins against the Kansas City Royals, then heads to Atlanta for four games before finishing that stretch against the Miami Marlins in south Florida. The Marlins are one of the teams currently ahead of the Padres in the wild-card chase, and a sub-.500 trip could push San Diego toward seller territory.
There’s another wrinkle hanging over all of it: ownership. The team sale was supposed to be done by now, but the final date has already been pushed back twice while MLB reviews the financial backing of the investors supporting controlling owners Jose E.
Feliciano and Kwanza Jones. The latest reports point to an August completion after the deadline, which leaves the Padres’ direction unclear.
And then there’s the price. If the Yankees want to pry Miller loose, A.J.
Preller would almost certainly ask for a huge return. One possible package would include Yankees starter Cam Schlittler, outfielder Spener Jones and premium shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr.
That kind of ask could easily stop the conversation before it really starts.
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Among the names drawing the most attention are Tyler Pitzer and Josh Skowronski, two players whose backgrounds and tools give the class some real intrigue even without the draft-day spotlight. It is the kind of post-draft maneuvering that carries obvious risk, but for a club willing to keep betting on traits and projection, these signings offer another chance to uncover value where other teams may have already moved on. [Read more 🡒]