The Oakland Athletics have become the center of trade discussions as teams express interest in their star closer, right-hander Mason Miller, known for his impressive fastball velocity of 100 mph. However, the A's are demanding a significant return for the 25-year-old pitcher, with no team thus far meeting their asking price, according to a team source.

Miller is not only regarded as the Athletics' best young player, but also their top player overall. Any team hoping to acquire him would likely need to part with a young player of comparable ability or put together a substantial package of promising prospects who could contribute to the A's future success.

One potential deal that has been mentioned involves the San Diego Padres. If the Padres were to pursue Miller at this stage, the A's would likely demand rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill in return. Similar requests have been made to other teams, such as the Baltimore Orioles, where a fair deal would involve corner infielder Coby Mayo and outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr., both highly-regarded prospects.

Miller, who is earning $740,000 this season, is not yet eligible for arbitration until 2026 and remains under the club's control through 2029. Despite this, the A's have not ruled out the possibility of trading him, as they plan to increase their payroll and strengthen their roster in anticipation of their scheduled move to Las Vegas in 2028. Miller, therefore, could play a crucial role in shaping the team's identity and credibility during their transitional years in Sacramento.

Currently, Miller's value is at an all-time high. He has been instrumental in the A's surprising 18-21 start, going a perfect 8-for-8 in save opportunities. In just 16 1/3 innings, Miller has struck out an impressive 33 batters, while only allowing seven hits and four walks. His remarkable 55 percent strikeout rate stands as the highest among all major-league relievers. Additionally, his ERA sits at an impressive 1.10, with opponents batting a mere .125 against him. Even his expected numbers are even better, with a projected 0.76 ERA and .087 batting average.

While the A's could potentially replace Miller with setup man Lucas Erceg, who possesses the sixth-highest average fastball velocity in the league at 98.6 mph, the combination of Erceg and Miller in the late innings has proven to be a valuable asset for the team.

Trade talks surrounding Miller are expected to continue until the trade deadline, unless he sustains an injury or is moved earlier. If a trade does occur, the return for Miller is anticipated to be substantial, perhaps even staggering. Otherwise, the Athletics are content to hold onto their prized closer.