Mason Miller will be a popular name in MLB trade discussions this season. The Oakland A's flame-throwing closer has a 2.05 ERA, he hasn't allowed a home run and he's issued just six walks while striking out 42 in 22 innings.
Given Oakland's penchant for offloading young stars in exchange for prospects, it's worth wondering whether the Dodgers should be looking to add him to the back end of their bullpen. He's a converted starter who can give Los Angeles more than one inning if need be, and it gives manager Dave Roberts more flexibility with Miller, Blake Treinen and Evan Phillips once he's healthy.
However, while the addition would make a ton of sense for LA (or any team in contention), it appears they'll have to wait to try and make a move for the A's best player.
Oakland's general manager David Forst spoke with 'A's Cast' and said the team isn't in a hurry to move Miller despite calls from around the league.
"I get texts. I get calls," Forst said. "Like, we have conversations. I'm not shopping Mason Miller. I'm not looking to make a trade in May right now. We're still looking at what we've got, trying to figure out who's going to be here."
It's notable that he didn't make any mention of trying to actually hang on to the 25-year-old who is making just $740,000 this year. He just mentioned not making a move in May. With the trade deadline slated for July 30, it's much more likely we see Miller in the mix at that point when Oakland, 6.5 games back in the American League West and 7.5 back of a wild card spot, is well out of contention.
At that point the Dodgers will likely be in a bidding war with every other contending club. They have the assets to come out on top to land one the stars of the deadline, but they'll have to wait to do so.
