Amidst the Oakland Athletics’ on-field struggles and off-field turmoil, rookie closer Mason Miller has provided fans with some solace. On the mound, his stuff is as unhittable as anyone in the Majors. The electric right-hander has 55 strikeouts in just 29.2 innings, notching 12 saves in 13 chances in the process. Miller blows opponents away with fastballs that have reached 103 MPH and a slider that opponents fan on nearly 50% of the time

For all the hype Paul Skenes has received this year, Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller has emerged as the top rookie pitcher in Major League Baseball this season. His fastball averages 101 miles-per-hour and he is striking out nearly two batters per inning. As good as his four-seamer is, Miller’s slider might be even better. Opponents are batting just .120 against his offspeed offering with a .120 slugging percentage — just six singles on 185 pitches. The A’s rookie leads MLB in expected ERA, whiff rate, expected batting average, and a long list of other statistical categories.

The Athletics have made it clear that their rookie closer is not on the trade market, but the right return could change the mind of this struggling franchise.

Mason Miller trade destinations

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs boosted their bullpen in May by trading with the Seattle Mariners for Tyson Miller. Miller has a 0.96 ERA as a Cub and has walked just three batters in 21 innings on the year. The right-hander helps solidify the Chicago pen, but the Cubs still need a dependable late-inning option.

Adbert Alzolay, the closer to begin the year, is just 4-9 in save opportunities this year, with six homers allowed in 17 innings and a walk rate that has increased from 1.8 BB/9 to 3.1 BB/9. His expected ERA of 6.58 (vs. an actual ERA of 4.67) indicates that things could have been even worse for the Venezuelan hurler. Alzolay is currently on the injured list, as is set-up man Yency Almonte, and Hector Neris has been a strong replacement at closer for the Northsiders, going 9-11 in save chances, but new set-up man Mark Leiter Jr. has struggled.

Leiter had an 8.00 ERA in May, and if the Cubs truly want to be contenders in the NL Central, they must upgrade a bullpen that is 26th in save percentage and 22nd in ERA. Mason Miller has been electric for the Athletics so far and is the kind of player who could boost morale on the Northside and stage a summer rebound at Wrigley.

Bruce Bochy has fun reason for coming back to manage Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers

Texas’ aggressiveness last year paid off, as the additions of relievers Aroldis Chapman and Chris Stratton (among others) at the trade deadline helped power Texas to its first World Series title. The Rangers’ bullpen has struggled again in 2024, ranking 26th in ERA and 22nd in save percentage.

Kirby Yates has slotted into the closer role for Texas, taking over for David Robertson and going 8-8 on the year. Yates is the only bullpen member with a sub-3.00 ERA. The two biggest names in the Texas pen — Robertson and Jose Leclerc — are a combined 2-8 in save chances, leaving the team without a dependable set-up man. A talented Rangers team is off to another slow start; a dependable bullpen arm like Mason Miller could turn that around.