Padres’ Mason Miller trade could impact future starting five

When the Padres swung for the fences at the trade deadline and landed Mason Miller, the focus was on the now. The Padres were adding arguably the most electric arm available. A guy who regularly touches triple digits and makes hitters look like they’re swinging underwater. But Miller’s arrival may not only be about locking down the late innings in 2025. The ripple effects could be felt years down the road, especially when it comes to the Padres’ starting rotation.

An interesting idea, but also a risky one. Miller’s first big league run as a starter in 2023 was cut short in May by a mild ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprain in his throwing elbow, sidelining him for several months and raising questions about his long-term durability in that role. While the flamethrower hasn’t ruled out a return to the rotation, the Padres might be better off keeping him in the bullpen for now — both to preserve his health and to maximize the value of the 4+ years of team control remaining on his contract.

Padres’ acquisition of Mason Miller may solve a future rotation problem

Miller himself has been transparent about where things stand. On the Foul Territory podcast, he made it clear his focus is on 2025 and doing whatever role gives the Padres the best shot to win.

“Whatever role that is, I’m prepared to do that,” Miller said. “I know these guys have had a lot of success here. So it’s kind of figuring out how I fit into that equation while also keeping everybody fresh and primed for the playoffs.”

That means, for now, he’s a bullpen weapon. But it’s hard to ignore the possibilities. Miller has the pitch mix to start,  a fastball that can blow past hitters and a slider that can buckle knees. The Padres have an increasingly uncertain rotation picture beyond this season. Dylan Cease and Michael King are both heading toward free agency. The farm system’s top arms are gone after the team’s recent trade splashes. That leaves A.J. Preller with two options: spend big again in free agency or get creative.

A “creative” solution could be as simple as sliding Miller back into a starter’s role in the coming seasons — a possibility he hasn’t closed the door on.

“That’s not to say down the road we can’t revisit and have conversations,” Miller said. “Being able to think about and say that I’m going to be here for the next four years, I think there are possibilities of that.”

For now, the Padres are counting on Miller to be a difference-maker out of the bullpen in a playoff push. But in a couple of years, he could be more than just the guy who slams the door in the ninth — he might be the one opening games, too.

More San Diego Padres News and Rumors