Cubs Could Inquire About Padres Relievers, Including Mason Miller
The San Diego Padres are probably the most confusing team in baseball. A.J. Preller is as aggressive as a general manager can be, constantly trading away prospects in blockbuster swaps. Every offseason brings an acquisition crazier than the last, and it appears that this winter will be no different. Reports from the Winter Meetings indicated that Preller is already trying to work out a “massive trade.” He’s a madman, and there’s no way around it.
Kevin Acee dropping a bomb at the end of a long day at the winter meetings. pic.twitter.com/nkOUEorOKT
— Xannie Heilbro (@JB_Rad619) December 9, 2025
The Padres made the biggest deal of the 2025 trade deadline period, acquiring Mason Miller from the Sacramento Athletics. They sent Leo De Vries, the No. 3 prospect in baseball, to Sacramento in return. Miller is one of the best relievers in the sport, but that’s still a hefty cost for a player with so much injury risk.
Miller had a 0.77 ERA in 23.1 innings to finish off the regular season in San Diego. He carried that over into the postseason, shutting the Cubs down at Wrigley Field in the National League Wild Card Series. When a pitcher throws triple-digits with pinpoint accuracy, you might as well head back to the dugout, because the odds of a positive outcome are rather slim. Talk about a great showcase for his talent.
UNHITTABLE STUFF
Mason Miller makes quick work of the Cubs lineup! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/hWGAAhyYq9
— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2025
Jon Heyman reported that Miller could be available for trade as San Diego looks to add controllable starting pitching. That doesn’t mean the Padres will move him. In fact, it would be very surprising to see him on a different team to begin the 2026 season. Nonetheless, it’s something to check in on. Whether the Cubs want Miller or another reliever from the San Diego bullpen, a phone call or text to investigate the situation has never hurt anyone. Preller is unpredictable, and moving Miller would fit right into that category.
Heyman also mentioned Nick Pivetta as a trade option, although arriving at an amenable value for a starter who’s very likely to opt out of his current deal at the end of the 2026 season is complicated. Pivetta had a 2.87 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 2025, both easily the best marks of his career, but he’s probably a rental because he can elect free agency rather than staying on a deal that pays him less money after this coming year.
While we’re discussing the Padres and the possibility of them crafting a blockbuster, Fernando Tatis Jr. would be a wild name to hit the trade market. His departure would create payroll flexibility for Preller, but it sounds like that won’t be happening this winter.
