The MLB trade deadline is roughly six weeks away. Though deals aren't expected to pop at this point in time, trade talks between buyers and sellers should be beginning to occur by now. One team that figures to sell between now and the trade deadline is the Oakland Athletics. The A's own a paltry 26-48 record through 74 games this season despite having players contenders would want. One of those players is closer Mason Miller, who could attract a hefty trade offer from a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers are in the opposite situation of the A's at the moment. They are 45-29 on the year and own an 8.5-game lead over the San Francisco Giants. Los Angeles has everything a baseball team could possibly need. They've got a dangerous lineup and one of the best pitching staffs in the MLB. However, the bullpen has always been an issue for them and could use some bolstering. Miller can provide that. But what would a Dodgers trade for Miller look like?
Trade Offer
The Los Angeles Dodgers trade Dalton Rushing, Kyle Hurt, and Michael Grove to the Oakland Athletics for Mason Miller.
Why the Dodgers do it
As mentioned above, the Dodgers are clearly in win-now mode. That's the expectation when the team signs arguably the best player in the world in Shohei Ohtani along with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and trades for Tyler Glasnow to cap off a $300 million payroll. The Dodgers have to win and have the talent to win. Anything they can do to help their chances of doing so would be a great plus.
The best thing they can do is to improve their bullpen. It's a pretty strong unit already. Among the 11 Dodgers relievers with at least 10 innings pitched this season, seven of them have an ERA of 3.04 or lower. Nine of them have a WHIP below 1.2. They have typically held on to any lead the Dodgers' lineup and starter has given them.
But they don't have a true dominant closer. Evan Phillips has been outstanding for the Dodgers in that role over the past two seasons. He has 34 saves in 81 games played and has blown only three saves in that span. Those are great numbers, but he primarily was in a set up role before the Dodgers moved him to the closer spot.
Phillips can return to that role for one of baseball's best closers. Miller doesn't get too many chances to earn saves in Oakland, but his stuff is nasty with a fastball routinely in the triple digits. He normally makes good on the save chances he does get.
Not only would the Dodgers get one of the best closers in the game with Mason Miller, but they'd also keep him away from one of their competitors. With a strong farm system in tow already, giving up a few prospects wouldn't hurt. This trade makes all the sense for the Dodgers.
Why the Athletics do it
Oakland is firmly out of the playoff mix. They trail the Seattle Mariners by 17 games in the AL West and are 15 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the final AL Wild Card spot. At this point in time, it would make the most sense for them to continue with their rebuild and add prospects to their farm system.
The belle of the ball in this trade for them would be Dalton Rushing. Rushing is currently the 26th-best prospect in the majors according to Baseball America. That makes sense. In 169 minor league games, Rushing has a slashing line of .272/.421/.515/.935 with 32 home runs and 122 RBI. He primarily plays catcher but he can also slide to first base.
That's key because Shea Langliers has played well for Oakland at catcher. But, neither Ryan Noda or Abraham Toro are the answer at first base. Rushing can take that job and hold it down for the foreseeable future.
Rushing's path to playing time is blocked in Los Angeles by Will Smith and Freddie Freeman. It wouldn't be in Oakland. And on top of that, the A's get a couple of solid pitching prospects in Kyle Hurt and Michael Grove. It's a solid trade haul for the Athletics and a key addition for the Dodgers. This trade would make sense for both sides.
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