MLB Rumors: Padres Could Make Surprising Move With Star Closer Mason Miller

October 16, 2025 ,
San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller celebrates during 2025 game.

The San Diego Padres and president of baseball operations AJ Preller are openly weighing a role change for Mason Miller in 2026, and the timing makes sense. 

After arriving from the Athletics at the deadline, Miller slammed the door with a 0.77 ERA and 0.729 WHIP across 23.1 innings, then fanned eight straight to open his postseason career against the Chicago Cubs. Preller says the decision will be collaborative with Miller and shaped by how the roster settles this winter.

Mason Miller starting rotation talks for 2026

The case for stretching Miller is real. 

He debuted as a starter with the Athletics in 2023 and owns a fastball, slider, cutter, and changeup that could carry over multiple trips through a lineup. The calculus also includes rotation turnover and health. 

Dylan Cease and Michael King are headed for free agency, Joe Musgrove is working back from surgery, and Yu Darvish is managing workload at age 39. Converting Miller could cover innings if the market thins, though it would also pull an elite weapon from a bullpen that was central to 2025 success.

San Diego’s staff picture will come into focus as the offseason unfolds, and Preller has pointed to past internal conversions as proof of concept. 

If the organization believes Miller can hold velocity and command deeper into starts, the upside is a top-of-the-rotation impact arm under team control through 2029. If not, he remains a late-game mismatch who shortens every contest he enters.

Choosing the right path is the challenge, but either one keeps the Padres dangerous.

Photo Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

Go To: NFL Rumors | NBA Rumors | NHL Rumors