MLB rumors: Insider urges Yankees to trade for Mason Miller, but there’s a Padres consolation prize

The New York Yankees are once again chasing the World Series. Despite coming relatively close in recent years, the team still hasn’t overcome its demons. It’s no surprise, then, that New York is in the market ahead of the trade deadline.

It’s also no surprise that New York is targeting one of the best players rumored to be available in the trade market. Jorge Castillo of ESPN has the Yankees gunning for Mason Miller, the San Diego Padres’ flamethrower who’s been apparently made available for a trade. Despite the Yankees already having one of the better closers in the league, Castillo said that paying for an insurance policy will be important to the team.

“So, why would the Yankees pay a huge price for another closer? Because there’s nobody like Mason Miller, who would give the Yankees a shutdown relief corps for the stretch run and anchor the bullpen for the next three seasons, at a bargain rate, with Bednar heading to free agency this winter.

That being said, Castillo acknolwedged that the price might be too steep for the Yankees. Then again, he notes that New York’s already swung for the fences before when they traded for Juan Soto (then with the Padres).

“The cost would be steep. The Yankees probably won’t budge on adding top prospect George Lombard Jr. in any trade, but these front offices linked up for the Juan Soto blockbuster in December 2023, and the Yankees can offer what the Padres desire most: A good major league starting pitcher with years of control (Will Warren or Ryan Weathers), plus prospects.”

If the Yankees aren’t able to acquire Miller, Castillo suggests another player on the Padres: reliever Adrian Morejon. Morejon, who was an All-Star last season, is having a down year, but he still boasts a 3.14 ERA through 50 games.