Featured Columnist IVJuly 12, 2024
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The Oakland Athletics are in final place within the American League West and can seemingly be sellers on the commerce deadline, however that does not imply they’ve to maneuver star aid pitcher Mason Miller.
Particularly since he’s below team control via the 2029 season.
With that because the backdrop, Jon Heyman of the New York Submit cited a league govt Thursday who mentioned it will take a “Herschel Walker-type commerce” for any group to persuade Oakland to commerce Miller this 12 months given the contract scenario.
But there could also be a group on the market prepared to blow away the Athletics’ entrance workplace with a suggestion.
In spite of everything, there won’t be many affect gamers obtainable on the deadline. The Los Angeles Angels, Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins are the one groups in the whole league that aren’t inside 9 video games of a playoff spot.
Heyman listed the White Sox, Marlins, Angels and Athletics as the one “sure sellers” despite the fact that different groups may resolve to be sellers earlier than the July 30 commerce deadline.
With out as many gamers probably obtainable, contenders may see even an out of doors likelihood at Miller being obtainable as a possibility to commerce important belongings for somebody who can be below group management for years.
And any such contender can be getting top-of-the-line aid pitchers in baseball this 12 months.
Miller was named to the All-Star Recreation and sports activities a 2.33 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 68 strikeouts and 15 saves in 38.2 innings this 12 months. He has been one of many few vivid spots for a struggling group and is simply 25 years outdated in his second season within the league.
He is also one of many faces of the franchise for years for Oakland because it prepares for an eventual transfer to Las Vegas, which is one thing the entrance workplace will even have to bear in mind because it approaches the deadline.
However a “Herschel Walker” commerce supply may change the strategy contemplating the Dallas Cowboys traded the working again to the Minnesota Vikings in a deal that ultimately featured 18 gamers plus draft picks.
Different MLB groups would possibly wish to begin finding out the most important commerce in NFL historical past in the event that they wish to land Miller on the deadline.
