The Athletics lost one of the best relievers in baseball, but acquiring the No. 3 overall prospect for a reliever is a home run.
The Athletics really wanted to hold on to their All-Star closer Mason Miller.
They told teams he wouldn’t be moved last season and laughed at teams trying to get him. It seemed like that would be the same this season, until the San Diego Padres offered Major League Baseball No. 3 prospect Leo De Vries and then some for the fireballer.
The Athletics traded Miller to the Padres in exchange for De Vries and right-handers Braden Nett, Henry Baez and Eduarniel Nunez.
De Vries, 18, is one of the league’s top prospects for a reason. He’s a great all-around player and is highly touted.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield named the winners and losers of the trade deadline, and the Athletics were one of his winners.
“The trade of Mason Miller for Leo De Vries was one of the more shocking deals we've seen in years, not just because top-100 prospects are rarely traded at the deadline -- let alone a consensus top-five prospect in De Vries -- but because the A's got him for a reliever,” wrote Schoenfield. “Yes, a very good one in Miller, who the San Diego Padres might try as a starter next season. Anytime you can flip a reliever for a potential superstar, you make the move.”
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The Athletics are better off making this trade. Adding four pieces who can help when it’s time to compete for a closer who could burn out is a great move.
Especially when the headliner coming back is drawing comparisons to Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa.
“At 18 years old, De Vries is holding his own in High-A, with an OPS 60 points above the Midwest League average despite being the youngest player in the league (and one of just two teenage position players),” Schoenfield wrote.
“You could say he's where Carlos Correa or Francisco Lindor were at this age, although you could just as easily point to a long list of hyped teenagers who didn't make it. Still, everybody thinks De Vries is the real deal, and his precocious results suggest he should develop into at least an above-average regular. This is a potential franchise-altering move.”
The Athletics continue to rebuild.
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Category: Baseball
