MLB Trade Rumors: Top 3 Landing Spots For Mason Miller

The San Diego Padres have been spinning their wheels, unable to make up ground in the Wild Card chase, as they sit 2.5 games back, but trail four other teams ahead of them as well. If they decide to sell, their biggest trade chip (and clearly one of the biggest trade chips in all of baseball) would be dominating, league-leading closer Mason Miller. 

He sits atop the NL with 25 saves, with a ridiculous 0.89 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and an even more insane 16.6 strikeouts per nine. Opposing batters are hitting a nearly invisible .144 off him. Under team control for another three seasons after this one, the price tag to snag him would be enormous. Unless the Padres try to dump off a bad contract with him (we're looking at you, Xander Bogaerts), then the price would come down a bit. 

Insider Jeff Passan confirms that the Padres are considering moving him if they don't show some serious signs of getting back in the race, and quickly. Less than two weeks to the trade deadline. 

He also suggests a number of potential landing spots for Miller; here are three of the top choices:

New York Yankees

The Yankees had scouts out to watch Miller this weekend at the Padres' series with Kansas City. But seriously, is that necessary at this point? We all know that Miller would change the course of the American League playoff odds if the Yankees could land him. New York boasts one of the top farm systems in the game, and already have the second-best bullpen ERA in the majors. If they can add Miller, it might be game over for the rest of the AL.

Philadelphia Phillies

With a starting threesome of Cristopher Sanchez, Zach Wheeler and Jesus Luzardo, and a lineup of mashers (4th in MLB in HR), the one missing link for the Phils is in the bullpen, which has been erratic. Miller could make the Phillies a very dangerous team come playoff time. 

Seattle Mariners

Another legitimate contender looking to take the next leap, the M's, like the two other teams on this list, can roll out an elite trio of starters in a playoff series. But their bullpen ranks 28th in baseball in strikeouts, and is tied for 20th in saves. They have the second-best bunch of high-level prospects in the game, and could offer an enticing package to San Diego.