San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller is absolutely torching the league this year, going a perfect 27 for 27 in save situations. Every single team in MLB knows it. The guy owns an absurd 0.81 ERA and 0.81 WHIP, racking up 83 strikeouts with a 515 ERA+ over 44 ⅔ innings. This isn’t just good, it’s 100th percentile in whiff rate good. So when the MLB trade deadline hits, whoever lands Miller is going to pay a “commanding” price, especially since he’s locked up through 2029.
The Cubs’ Closer Conundrum
The Chicago Cubs are definitely in the thick of things, holding the No. 1 National League wild-card spot at 61-46. You’d think they’re set, but their bullpen is leaking. We’re talking tied for 22nd in opponent batting average (.247), tied for 14th in WHIP (1.31), and 14th in ERA (3.97). Yikes. They’ve blown 17 saves! Twelve different pitchers have recorded a save, with Jacob Webb leading the team with a paltry five. Plugging a lights-out arm like Miller into that closer role would be an instant, emphatic fix, pushing guys like Webb, Daniel Palencia, and Trent Thornton , who are all having successful 2026 campaigns , into a rock-solid bridge to the ninth. The only real snag? Their starting rotation has been a total roller-coaster, meaning the Cubs might prioritize a top-of-the-rotation ace instead of dropping a massive haul for a reliever. That’s a tough, high-stakes call for a team eyeing the World Series.
White Sox Eyeing the Crown
Over in the American League, the Chicago White Sox are sitting pretty atop the AL Central at 55-51. They’re just five wins shy of matching their entire 2025 win total already, fueled by an emerging starting rotation with Davis Martin, Sean Burke, and Anthony Kay. Their bullpen has held its own, ranking 8th in MLB in opponent batting average (.231) and 11th in ERA (3.94), but it’s the blown saves that really jump out. They’ve coughed up a painful 20 saves, tied for third-most in the sport! Right now, it’s a closer-by-committee approach, with younger arms like Bryan Hudson and Grant Taylor handling the ninth. Acquiring Miller would give them that undisputed closer. Imagine him coming in, leaning on that nasty slider and four-seamer, shutting the door every single time. It’d also let veteran Seranthony Domínguez, who’s 12 of 17 in save situations with a 4.21 ERA for Chicago, slide back into a setup role, where he’s had more success with past teams. It’s a huge move for a team looking to solidify their spot at the top.
Mason Miller is the real deal, a truly sensational arm. With the MLB trade deadline rapidly approaching, teams like the Cubs and White Sox are staring down a monumental decision. Do they push all their chips in for arguably the best closer on the market and aim for that deep October run? Or do they hold back, hoping their current arms can miraculously get it done? The stakes could not be higher for both these ballclubs as they chase a championship.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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