Overview

• San Diego sent a package led by No. 3 prospect Leo De Vries to Oakland on August 5 to acquire flamethrowing righty Mason Miller.
• Despite the high cost, the Padres have slotted Miller into an eighth-inning setup role while shifting existing arms into closer and multi-inning duties.
• After failing to match San Diego’s offer, the New York Mets pivoted to bolster their bullpen by adding Gregory Soto, Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley.
• The New York Yankees also pursued Miller but declined to include top prospects such as George Lombard Jr. or Spencer Jones in any deal.
• Contending clubs balanced the long-term sacrifice of elite prospects against the short-term imperative to strengthen late-inning relief.