San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller didn't hold anything back at this year's trade deadline after he acquired flamethrowing Athletics closer Mason Miller in a massive six-player deal (subscription required), per Andy McCullough of The Athletic. The deal includes Miller and starter J.P. Sears from the A's side with the Padres sending shortstop Leodalis De Vries (MLB Pipeline's No. 3 overall prospect) and with pitchers Braden Nett, Henry Báez and Eduarniel Núñez to Sacramento.
The deal was a big one for the Padres as they already hold a top bullpen in baseball. The addition of the 26-year-old Miller adds an enormous amount of depth that will now be even harder to compete with. The Philadelphia Phillies had already traded for Jhoan Duran from the Twins to get their closer on Wednesday, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.
After taking a look at both deals, the Phillies look like the smarter front office in their decision to make a splash.
Phillies' elite closer Jhoan Duran looks like a better deal after Padres' hefty price for Mason Miller
Miller is a stud when it comes to closing out games, but with four years of control after 2025 and a league minimum salary, he cost a fortune. The Padres wanted him, and they paid a king's ransom to make it happen. Four players by any stretch is a lot to digest, but when it includes the No. 3 overall prospect in baseball in De Vries, the club better be certain it's worth it.
The Phillies, on the other hand, got a closer that may be a tick below Miller as far as star power but relinquished just two prospects that didn't include their top guys like Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford or Andrew Painter.
Miller has a 3.76 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and 59 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings, with 20 saves this season. Duran has a 2.01 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings, with 16 saves in 18 chances. Miller's 101.1 mph fastball sits slightly above Duran's 100.2 mph offering.
Dave Dombrowski said yesterday that teams were asking for Andrew Painter to trade their closer. That would’ve been the starting point for Miller. https://t.co/Fd4NCvuC0z
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 31, 2025
The Phillies made it clear from the jump that they were not entertaining the idea of dealing Painter away at the trade deadline as he remains the Phillies' No. 1 prospect. The Phillies could have possibly had a play at Miller, but Painter would have ultimately been what the Padres wanted in return.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was looking to make upgrades to the roster, and he has done it in spades as he added a real closer that the team can count on moving forward through 2027. Having Miller would have been nice, but you don't always have to unload the farm system like the Padres did to get exactly the piece you need.