Mason Miller's historic Padres run could challenge baseball's Cy Young reliever bias

At what point do we see an imperative change be made? Major League Baseball has not seen a relief pitcher win the Cy Young Award since Eric Gagné in 2003. That's too long of a time. There have been some incredible relief seasons since then. Aroldis Chapman and Josh Hader have handed in unbelievably dominant seasons. Two of the greatest closers of all time in Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman have also pitched in their prime during this span.

Zack Britton probably should have won it in 2016 when he was with Baltimore, going a perfect 47-for-47 in save opportunities with a 0.54 ERA and an 803 ERA+. That's right; that number is not a typo. Yet, he placed fourth in the vote. Not even a finalist.

It's time for someone to shake that up. Enter Mason Miller. Yes, this is us campaigning for Miller to at least be considered for the award now that we are one month into the season. He rode a scoreless streak that broke San Diego's all-time record, which ultimately ended at 34.2 innings — eighth best in the last 60-plus years.

It's time for the voters to alter their perspective. It's time for them to stop having a bias against relievers. What Mason Miller is doing right now is not only iconic, but he is showing us the limitless ability a reliever can bring to the table. He should absolutely be in contention for a Cy Young in 2026.

Mason Miller's historic April should put Cy Young voters on watch for the award in 2026

Let's also not forget that Miller's FIP is in the negatives (-0.23). What he is doing is outrageous — so mind-boggling that he is already in the mix for the award in terms of betting odds. He has a win, as well as 11 saves in as many opportunities. If he is going to win the Cy Young Award, he probably can't blow more than two games. Gagné, who collected 55 saves in 2003 with the Dodgers, had three losses. He logged the save in his first 12 tries.

Unfortunately, if Miller were to blow three games, he probably won't get the same leniency as Gagné. That is just the world we currently live in. Miller needs to be near-perfect. But that doesn't mean it is impossible.

Heck, if he is in near-perfect territory, we shouldn't stop at the Cy Young Award. At what point do we start thinking about MVP votes? A reliever hasn't won that award since 1992 when Dennis Eckersley dominated for Oakland. But if you're a guy throwing upwards of 104 MPH, providing the best WAR among a playoff team, and sitting with a perfect save percentage, we cannot rule out anything for Mason Miller in 2026.

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