San Diego Padres scouts are actively evaluating players across all levels of the New York Yankees organization as the Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches, with closer Mason Miller standing out as a primary trade target.
Reports indicate that the Padres recently dispatched evaluators to monitor New York's farm system, specifically inquiring about 19-year-old shortstop prospect Dax Kilby following his recent promotion to Low-A ball.
The Yankees have simultaneously maintained a steady scouting presence around San Diego's club.
Miller's Value and Potential Package
Miller, who has compiled a dominant 0.82 ERA with 27 saves and 80 strikeouts in 2026, represents San Diego's most valuable trade asset.
The right-hander remains under arbitration control through the 2029 season and will not hit free agency until 2030.
Speculation surrounding a potential blockbuster package has drawn widespread analysis from Major League Baseball insiders who note that San Diego's asking price remains exceptionally steep.
The Padres previously parted with top prospect Leo De Vries to acquire Miller from the Oakland Athletics last season.
MLB insider Jeff Passan addressed a proposed trade package featuring pitchers Will Warren, Carlos Lagrange, Ben Hess, and shortstop Dax Kilby, evaluating the depth of the offering.
"I like Kilby a lot. Lagrange might be Jhoan Duran," Passan wrote.
"Warren is a solid big league starter already. And Hess should be one.
That said, I'm not sure there's a sure-enough high-ceiling player in there for the Padres to accept that.
The carrying piece matters, and while Kilby could be that, his injuries this year are an impediment."
Despite the intriguing combination of talent, Passan suggested that the right-handed reliever is more likely to remain in San Diego through the deadline due to the exorbitant acquisition costs involved.
Industry reports from USA Today's Bob Nightengale similarly indicate that while Miller could eventually be moved, a trade during the upcoming winter offseason remains the more probable outcome.
Other Suitors and Financial Factors
Potential suitors extend beyond New York, with the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox also viewed as a logical landing spot if Chicago general manager Chris Getz chooses to pursue elite bullpen depth.
White Sox manager Will Venable addressed the front office's deadline approach during a recent media session. "Well, yeah, totally trust what he's doing.
There are things we are talking about as we are getting through these days and ideas are coming up," Venable said.
"I'm doing everything I can to get these guys in a good place to go out and win tonight.
There's some crossover, but we are both really busy doing our job."
White Sox pitcher Grant Taylor reinforced the roster's focus on daily performance rather than front-office speculation.
"Sometimes you want to play like you are a GM and try to figure out the moves and try to figure out who we are going to trade for," Taylor said.
"That's one of the things where you can fall into a different mindset and not be focused about your actual job.
I try to leave that to the guys who get paid for making those decisions."
Financial factors could further complicate negotiations between the Padres and prospective buyers.
Reports indicate San Diego may attempt to attach veteran infielder Xander Bogaerts and the remaining balance of his 11-year, $280 million contract to any trade involving Miller in order to clear long-term payroll obligations.
MLB insider Joel Sherman reported on the specific scouting efforts taking place between San Diego and New York leading up to the deadline.
"But know that the Yankees have had a scout constantly on the Padres.
And over the weekend, the Padres had scouts literally at every level watching the Yankees, including two at one point at Triple-A," Sherman wrote.
Sherman highlighted San Diego's interest in New York's 2025 first-round draft pick.
"They also inquired of the Yankees where their 2025 first-round pick Dax Kilby would be, because the shortstop recently moved from their Florida Complex team to Low-A," Sherman wrote.
Kilby, currently ranked as the No. 58 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, hit .
353 with 16 stolen bases in 18 games before being sidelined by a hamstring injury earlier this season.
