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1 massive MLB trade deadline mistake Padres must avoid making
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The San Diego Padres are not in a position to be buyers at the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline. That had been the case for the last few years, but after an 8-game losing streak from June to July, the Padres have fallen out of Wild Card contention and are now tied at four games back of the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals . There is a lot of ball left to be played, but if you have watched this team in 2026, you know that they are far from being contenders.
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General manager A.J. Preller must avoid making trades that could help this club win now. Instead, there are a few players that he should seriously consider trading away for younger talent, as they are on one- and two-year contracts. Here are three reasons why the Padres should be sellers at the trade deadline .
Even though the Friars will likely be sellers, there is one mistake that Preller must avoid. He cannot even think about trading away closer Mason Miller . With Miller's value and dominance on the mound late in games, he would command a haul in return if traded. However, just because 2026 is not going well does not mean 2027 and beyond won't as well. Miller can still be a very valuable part of the team's success in the future. Let's discuss why.
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The Padres play in a pitcher-friendly ballpark, and the team usually plays better in front of their home crowd, which is usually a sold-out occasion. The vibes have not been there this season, even after coming off an incredible World Baseball Classic in which some of the Friars were involved. Even Miller was the closer for Team USA. It hasn't clicked yet this year, but that doesn't mean it won't. The Padres have been in the postseason three of the last four seasons.
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San Diego has always had a dominant All-Star closer, going back to the Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Mark Davis, Trevor Hoffman, Heath Bell, Craig Kimbrell, Kirby Yates , and Robert Suarez days. The Padres' culture involves having a pitcher walk toward the mound in the 9th inning with an iconic song playing. Every time Miller has walked out to Korn, he has ended the game with a save.
San Diego is more than capable of finding a new closer, as history shows, but none will be as dominant as Miller will be.
The 27-year-old from Pittsburgh is on pace to break many records and insert himself into baseball history. Miller is known for his fastball that can touch 104 mph+, and he now has a nasty slider that makes hitters look silly.
Trade rumors involving Miller are starting to surface now that the Padres have lost nine of their last 10 games. After trading a No. 1 prospect, plus more, for Miller and J.P. Sears last season, it does not make much sense for Preller to immediately trade him away again, even though his value is actually higher now than it was at last year's trade deadline.
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Preller is going to receive a lot of phone calls from contenders, inquiring about Miller's status. Knowing how Preller operates, he will entertain some of these offers. However, Preller should not consider any of them. It would be a major letdown if the Padres were to sell off their best player amid one miserable season. The Padres can turn around and become one of the National League's best teams in 2027, and Miller as the closer gives them the best chance of success.
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