Heyman: Don't expect A's to trade budding star Mason Miller, despite propensity for dealing top players

There are few things the Oakland Athletics seem to enjoy doing more than trading their top players. That might happen one day for Mason Miller, but probably not anytime soon.

The 25-year-old flamethrower has burst onto the scene this year and is rapidly cementing himself as one of baseball’s top closers. He came up largely as a starter and made six starts for Oakland last season, but broke camp as the closer this year and is thriving in the role.

Miller has seven saves with a 1.46 ERA and 0.892 WHIP this season. He’s allowed just two runs off seven hits in 10 appearances (12 ⅓ innings), striking out 25 while only walking four.

We’ve seen what top closers like Edwin Diaz and Josh Hader can fetch in a trade, and given the history of the A’s to move guys – Matt Olson and Sean Murphy among recent examples – it’s not far-fetched to think Miller’s rising status could mean he’s not long for the A’s.

Asked about Miller on Mully & Haugh on Tuesday, Audacy MLB Insider Jon Heyman said Miller’s low salary means he’s probably not going anywhere.

“Well, I’m sure teams will ask," Heyman said. "The A’s, they trade guys who make money. He’s a rookie, so he’s not making any money at this point. I’m sure they’ll ask for an absolute haul for him, and I get it. There’s not going to be a lot of closers on that market, and when there are, teams overpay.

“I think more realistic could be like a Kenley Jansen, we’ll see. Obviously, the Red Sox are I think playing over their head – which we saw with the 17-0 victory over the Cubs the other day – generally the pitching has been really good, a real surprise. I’m not sure that it’s going to hold up. So, I think Kenley Jansen is the more likely closer to be moved.

“Obviously if you can get Miller, who throws 103.7 miles per hour, that would be fantastic, but this is a guy with six years to go. You do not see those kinds of guys traded. I know Oakland is an unusual situation, and perhaps even a unique situation, but I think that would be unlikely.”

Jansen was in rumors throughout the offseason and, to Heyman’s point, is probably a more realistic candidate to get traded than someone like Miller. He’s on the final year of his contract, has plenty of experience closing, including in the playoffs, and the Red Sox all but certainly aren’t going to contend this season.