San Diego Padres and Athletics Make A Blockbuster Deal
At the MLB Trade Deadline, the San Diego Padres have been known to be active, and 2025 is no different.
Mason Miller has been lights out for the Athletics since since getting called up. (Credits: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)
By: Jeremy Hasson
In a blockbuster move just before today’s trade deadline, the San Diego Padres have acquired All‑Star closer Mason Miller and left‑handed starter J.P. Sears from the Oakland A’s. In return, Oakland is receiving shortstop prospect Leodalis De Vries—ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 3 overall prospect in baseball—along with three minor league pitchers.
The Padres are always trying to make a second-half push towards a deep postseason run, and being active at the deadline is a priority for General Manager A.J. Preller. They are in win-now mode.
The Padres got arguably the best closer in the league over the past couple of years in Mason Miller. While Miller is not having his best season ever (3.76 ERA in 38.1 innings pitched), he has team control through the 2029 season. The Padres also received starting pitcher JP Sears, who has an over-4.00 ERA career and nearly a 5.00 ERA this season. Sears is under team control through 2028. The Padres are confident they can turn him around.
With the Padres trading for Miller and Sears, this leaves the possibility open that Dylan Cease, who pitched a no-hitter for the Friars last season, and/or stellar closer Robert Suarez get traded from the team.
The Athletics got a haul in return from San Diego, including a generational talent in 18-year-old Leodalis De Vries, who is just in High-A, and will be a key piece for the Athletics when they eventually move to Las Vegas. Three prospects go along with De Vries to the Athletics.
The core that the Athletics will have with Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Lawrence Butler, and soon, Leo De Vries, will make them the team to beat in a few years, especially with the new city/stadium possibly attracting new big-time players.
Who will win this trade in the long run is yet to be seen, but only time will tell.
