Why Former GM's Yankees-Padres Trade Idea Makes Zero Sense

The San Diego Padres' chances of winning the National League West look slim at best, but they are still in a position to make the postseason as a wild card team.

It's hard to imagine the Padres being sellers at the trade deadline. Entering play on Tuesday, they are 4 1/2 games out of a wild card spot, and they will need some help in the rotation to really make a push for October. They could look to deal from their excess of talented relievers to acquire a starter and potentially a bat. However, the idea of trading Mason Miller seems like a stretch.

Miller is arguably the best reliever in baseball and has three more years of club control. Not only would it be crazy to part ways with him, but it would be hard to find a team willing to give up all it would take to land him. Still, former New York Mets general manager Steve Phillips thinks the Padres should deal him.

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"Yes, they should," Phillips said on "MLB Now" on Monday. "If the Padres think they're in it, and they're going to go for it, a game under .500, and they're going to try for that third wild card spot. They need starting pitching and offense. Their surplus is offense, and Mason Miller is the biggest chip that they have. There's a team in The Bronx that would desperately give up what it takes to get him. They could get a Ryan Weathers, whom they've had before, or they can get a Will Warren, and they could get a Spencer Jones or Jasson Domínguez. You're going to get the pitcher and a bat to be able to go to the Padres there. They could move (Adrian) Morejon or (Jeremiah) Estrada to closer. The Padres have to do that if they want to try to get back in it this year."

Trading Miller to the New York Yankees, as Phillips suggests, would make no sense for the Padres. They would be giving up an elite closer for an average pitcher, at best, and a bat that has not proven anything in the big leagues.

Weather, Warren, Jones and Domínguez are all solid players, but none are worthy of headlining a package that nets the Yankees Miller. Miller has a 0.98 ERA and a National League-best 22 saves. He was named an All-Star this season and should not be considered a trade candidate unless the Padres commit to a rebuild.

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