The Dodgers entered this trade deadline with high expectations but have endured more misses than hits. Their pursuits of elite bullpen arms, like Jhoan Duran and Ryan Helsley, ended in disappointment, as both landed with other franchises. Now, with the clock ticking down to the final day of the deadline, the pressure for a big move has only intensified. In the high-stakes world of MLB trades, competition is inevitable; however, this time, the obstacle standing between the Dodgers and a potential splash is none other than their fiercest rival.
If the latest rumors hold any weight, the Padres may be gearing up for another high-stakes faceoff with the Dodgers, this time off the field. Well, we’ve seen this script before. Two heavyweight front offices locked in a deadline duel. Last time it was for Max Scherzer in 2021. The Dodgers had the last laugh then, but this time, the Padres may make a strong push for the All-Star closer Mason Miller, who is reportedly on the Dodgers’ radar as well.
“The Dodgers have been linked to All-Star closer Mason Miller at the deadline. Now the NL West rival Padres appear to be making a STRONG PUSH for him.” Dodgers Nation wrote on X, quoting a report from Sports Illustrated.
MLB, Baseball Herren, USA Athletics at Houston Astros Jul 26, 2025 Houston, Texas, USA Athletics relief pitcher Mason Miller 19 delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Houston Daikin Park Texas USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xTroyxTaorminax 20250726_tjt_at5_0049
Despite boasting the 4th-best team ERA in baseball (3.48), the quest for another reliable arm has kept the Padres in the hunt. The Dodgers, on the other hand, have been hit hard by a wave of pitcher injuries this season. And things just got tougher with reliever Tanner Scott going down.
Even before Scott’s injury, the Dodgers were expected to be in the market for bullpen help at the trade deadline. Someone like Mason Miller is a hot commodity for them right now. The 26-year-old A’s closer has quickly made a name for himself in the majors. This year, he has put up strong numbers with a 3.76 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 20 saves, and 59 SOs in 38.1 innings.
On top of that, Miller is earning $765,000 this season. And he’s under team control for four more years, which makes him appealing to the Dodgers. The catch? The Padres are also heavily in the mix. According to Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin of The Athletic, San Diego is “pushing for” Miller. Reason?
Well, the Padres’ bullpen has been running on fumes. Jeremiah Estrada and Adrian Morejon are among the only four pitchers in the majors who’ve already made 52 appearances, which shows how heavily the team has leaned on them. Bringing in another dependable reliever would go a long way toward easing the workload and keeping everyone fresh down the stretch.
But hey, is Mason Miller the only player the Padres and the Dodgers may simultaneously be pursuing?
The Dodgers-Padres contention goes beyond Miller
According to The Athletic’s Tim Britton and Aaron Gleeman, Rays right-hander Pete Fairbanks is drawing interest in the trade market, with the Padres and Dodgers emerging being two of the best fits for the 31-year-old reliever.
For the unversed, Fairbanks has been sharp this season, posting a 2.84 ERA over 38 innings. Moreover, he brings plenty of heat. His fastball is among the hardest in the league, and his slider has been downright nasty. Notably, opponents are hitting just .137 against it, and it carries a 27.7% whiff rate, the best of any of his pitches.
And, there’s more. Guardians’ Steve Kwan is another name of contention for the Dodgers and Padres.
The 2x All-Star is hitting .287 with 9 HRs and 37 RBIs. For the Padres, a move for Kwan would be almost perfect. Left field has been a weak spot all year, and adding his elite contact skills alongside Luis Arraez and Manny Machado would give San Diego one of the best contact-heavy lineups in baseball.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, are already strong in the outfield with Teoscar Hernandez and Andy Pages, but Michael Conforto has handled most of the left-field duties. Now, with Conforto hitting just .196, the Dodgers need a new name as his cover. And sliding Kwan into that spot would be a clear upgrade.
With just a few hours left for the trade deadline, let’s wait and watch who lands where.
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