The San Diego Padres are evaluating major roster adjustments, including potentially trading standout closer Mason Miller before the August 3, 2026, trade deadline to repair an offense and starting rotation that have caused the team to plummet in the standings.
San Diego has lost nine of its last 10 games, sliding into third place in the National League West and sitting 4.5 games behind in the wild-card chase.
The slide has severely limited save opportunities for Miller, who has pitched only four times over the last two weeks under manager Craig Stammen.
Addressing the limited game action during the current slump, Miller noted the challenge of maintaining rhythm without frequent appearances.
"It's not easy, for sure," stated Miller.
"Because you get out there and you feel like you're trying to get your feet under you a little bit.
[Saturday], obviously my command wasn't sharp. But stuff is fine, body feels good.
But obviously it's hard to go out there and feel really confident in your execution."
Despite the recent lack of utilization, the right-hander maintains a 0.98 ERA and has successfully converted all 22 of his save opportunities this season.
After conceding a run during a loss on Saturday, he rebounded with a perfect ninth inning on Sunday to secure a victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"I was just excited to get back in a game today after [Saturday]," added Miller. "Got the juices going [Saturday] a little bit.
Not the outing I went into it hoping for. But I got another chance to compete.
That's all I'm looking for, is a chance to compete."
The All-Star closer acknowledged that trade rumors are an inherent part of the sport during this time of the season.
"It's the business of baseball," said Miller.
Former baseball executives believe the Padres possess a unique asset in Miller that could net the necessary pieces to revitalize their season.
Analysis from MLB Now suggests utilizing the deep bullpen to fix other weak areas.
"Yes, they should," said Steve Phillips, former general manager.
Phillips argued that a trade makes sense if the front office remains determined to compete for a postseason spot this year.
"If the Padres think they're in it, and they're gonna go for it, they need starting pitching and offense.
Their surplus is bullpen.
And Mason Miller is the biggest chip that they have… The Padres have to do that if they want try and get back in it this year," added Phillips.
Manager Craig Stammen has downplayed the immediate distraction of the looming trade deadline, noting that the team is still weeks away from the final cutoff date.
"We're far away," stated Stammen.
Stammen advised his players to remain focused on daily performance rather than external media reports and speculation. "I don't think they're thinking about it yet," said Stammen.
"When it gets closer, obviously all the reports come out of different names being thrown out, my only thing for them is 99% of it, all the stuff that's written is not true, you know, and most of the things that do happen are things that nobody knows about, or they're pretty obvious."
In addition to pitching needs, external reports from ESPN indicate the Padres could look to division rivals like the San Francisco Giants to acquire outfield help, targeting players like Jung Hoo Lee.
"The 27-year-old is top five in MLB in batting average and strikeout rate, and considering he's carrying a slugging percentage in excess of .
450 and can also play all around the outfield, Lee is primed to get a big return if the Giants indeed move him," wrote Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, ESPN analysts.
