The New York Yankees should be very careful when it comes to this potential trade.
The New York Yankees will almost certainly be looking for reinforcements before the MLB trade deadline, although their aggression will certainly depend on how things go when Aaron Judge has re-imaging done this week.
But assuming that Judge will return this season, the Yankees will be seeking to add some pieces, and one name that has surfaced as a potential addition is San Diego Padres reliever Mason Miller.
Make no mistake: Miller is one of the best bullpen arms in the game. He sports a 0.91 ERA and 0.782 WHIP this season, and he is averaging 16.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
Those are video game numbers, and even more enticing is the fact that Miller is under team control through 2029.
The Padres have been one of baseball's more disappointing teams this year, so they may be willing to sell at the MLB trade deadline. As a result, Miller's name has surfaced in rumors, and New York has been floated as a possible destination.
But would an all-out pursuit of Miller actually be a wise idea for the Yankees?
Well, let's start with the fact that Miller is a relief pitcher, and while he is obviously an elite one, it's always risky to surrender substantial capital for relievers.
San Diego Padres pitcher Mason Miller. Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images.Bullpens tend to be a crapshoot, and while Miller has always been great, it's worth noting he owns a lifetime 2.43 ERA since entering the big leagues in 2023. That's obviously still terrific, but it's not quite what we've seen out of him thus far in 2026.
Because Miller is just 26 years old and isn't hitting free agency for several years, San Diego will ask for a king's ransom in return for him. That means New York may have to part with a package that includes Carlos Lagrange, Spencer Jones and more, and is that really worth it for an arm who throws around 60 innings per season?
It's also worth nothing that Miller himself expressed reservations about the Bronx when asked about the possibility of being dealt to the Yankees, saying that he isn't a big-city guy. That absolutely raises some red flags.
What if New York sells the farm for Miller and he can't even handle the pressure of pitching for the Yanks? What if he ends up being another Devin Williams? Then what?
The Yankees absolutely need to add some relief help before the Aug. 3 deadline, but they don't need to splurge on Miller. Especially not when David Bednar has actually been lockdown in the ninth inning for almost two months now.
New York would be far better off exploring cheaper options to fill gaps rather than siphoning off numerous top prospects for an All-Star closer.
Should the Yankees place a call to the Padres to inquire about Miller? Sure. Should they be willing to meet the likely exorbitant asking price? Absolutely not.
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