Yankees, Mets competing to trade for closer with 104 MPH fastball

It's that time of year when every contender wants bullpen help.

According to the latest report from Ken Rosenthal, the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies aren't taking that pursuit lightly.

They're going after Mason Miller, the Athletics closer who touches 104 miles per hour with his fastball. Rosenthal released that information Wednesday, and it has the potential to entirely alter the playoff race.

A Miller acquisition could be super pricey. He's not a free agent until 2030, so the acquiring team gets him for the next five years.

Miller isn't just a hard thrower, either. He's one of the best bullpen arms in the business.

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He broke into the majors briefly at the end of the 2023 season for Oakland and pitched in 10 games with a 3.78 ERA. That was just an appetizer.

In 2024, Miller threw in 55 games for the A's. He put up a 2.49 ERA. And in 65 innings, he struck out 104 hitters.

Miller has been just a bit bumpier in this campaign. Through 38 appearances, he has a 3.76 ERA. He has 59 strikeouts in 38.1 innings.

The Phillies are probably the most needy in the bullpen of the three teams listed by Rosenthal. They lost lefty Jose Alvarado early in the season to an 80-game suspension, which put them behind the eight-ball in the bullpen all season long.

The Mets would put together the best bullpen duo in baseball if they could pair Edwin Diaz with Miller.

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The Yankees have gone a bit back and forth in the closer role between Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. Both would likely become setup men if Miller came to town, and that'd be a formidable trio at the back end, for sure.

The A's don't have to deal Miller. Since they've got him for so long, he could be a trade candidate every deadline for the next few seasons.

But if the offer is overwhelming enough, maybe it'd be the right move for the Athletics. And if one of the big-market teams after Miller lands him, it'd be a huge victory.

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