Pirates trade idea swaps top prospect, fan favorite righty for Padres' Mason Miller

The Pittsburgh Pirates are trying to contend for a postseason spot this season, and to do so, they're going to need to improve the roster in a meaningful way this summer.

With the trade deadline just a few weeks away, the Pirates know what they need to add to be a contender. One of their top areas of need is the bullpen, as Gregory Soto can't be trusted to close out games for a postseason club.

Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report proposed a trade idea for the Pirates that would have them linking up with the San Diego Padres for Mason Miller, one of MLB's best closers, in exchange for two players. One a fan favorite starter, the other a top prospect.

Pirates trade idea lands Mason Miller for fan favorite pitcher, top prospect

"Trade Proposal: Pittsburgh Pirates get RHP Mason Miller; San Diego Padres get RHP Jared Jones, OF Edward Florentino, (MLB No. 27)," Rymer proposed.

This trade idea for the Pirates is a huge one, as they'd be giving up some very valuable players to the franchise to land a new closer.

But, considering how good Miller is, it would be a hard deal to pass up. Miller has a 0.89 ERA this season with 25 saves and 75 strikeouts in 40.2 innings pitched.

He's been one of the best relievers in baseball the last few years, and would be a massive upgrade for the Pirates at a spot of clear need.

MORE: Mason Miller shares honest thoughts on Yankees trade rumors

But the cost is high. Florentino is the kind of good prospect a team would have to give up to land Miller. While losing the outfield prospect would sting, the Pirates need someone like Miller, and he's under club control through the 2029 season as well.

Jones is the other big piece in this deal, and while the fan favorite 24-year-old righty is also under club control through 2029, the Pirates have an elite rotation even without him.

Paul Skenes, Braxton Ashcraft, Mitch Keller, and Bubba Chandler are a great core rotation. But if they trade Jones, they could then bring Carmen Mlodzinski back to the starting rotation, where he thrived to begin the year.

This Pirates trade idea from Rymer is a very intriguing one, as landing someone as good as Miller at this price would be a bit hard to pass up.

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