This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos' Athletics Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
SAN DIEGO – The Athletics’ visit to Petco Park for a three-game series against the Padres this past weekend was a natural segue to look back at the blockbuster trade that took place between these two clubs less than a year ago.
Expecting to mostly stand pat ahead of last season’s Trade Deadline, the A’s had zero plans to move All-Star closer Mason Miller, who was under team control through the 2029 season, unless they were blown away by an offer. On July 31, the Padres floored them with a prospect haul, prying away Miller and JP Sears from the A’s for a package headlined by Leo De Vries, who at the time was rated as the No. 3 overall prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline (and is now ranked No. 2).
It’s easy to see the impact Miller has already brought to the Padres. He’s established himself as arguably the best closer in baseball. Of course, the A’s had already known how special he was just by watching him torment opposing teams with his electric stuff. On Saturday night, they finally experienced it from the other side, as Miller capped a 2-0 Padres win with a dominant 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Miller is a full-fledged superstar whose profile is so elevated that he’s now appearing alongside Grogu in Star Wars commercials. Still, that doesn’t mean the A’s feel like they got the bad end of the deal.
“Obviously, it’s an immediate impact for the Padres with getting a Major League-ready, proven pitcher,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay. “For us, we’re looking at De Vries as part of a bigger picture. It’s our future. He’s having a lot of success right now and had a lot of success at the time we made that trade as [arguably] the best prospect in baseball. He continues to show those signs. So, it’s not fair to really assess the trade in totality right now. But we got a couple of good arms, too, that are working their way through our system.”
Let’s take a look back at the A’s return in that trade.
INF Leo De Vries
De Vries, ranked as the A’s No. 1 prospect, has moved up a spot on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list since the trade, now rated as the second-best overall prospect in baseball.
The switch-hitting super prospect has continued his quick rise through the Minors. The 19-year-old began this season at Double-A Midland, where he’s slashing .281/.360/.401 with five home runs, five doubles and 16 stolen bases in 43 games. The dynamic infielder has also expanded his versatility beyond shortstop by getting some reps at third base, which could increase his chances of getting his first call to the Majors at some point this season.
“He’s fun to watch,” A’s Minor League hitting coordinator Todd Takayoshi said earlier this month on A’s Cast. “Offensively, he’s doing a good job at Double-A. I think the power is going to develop a little bit more as he gets older. He’s going to start getting bigger and stronger. Most hitters, when they start putting on the good weight, the ball starts to come off the bat a little bit harder.
“From both sides of the plate, he has a good swing and good balance. He keeps his direction through the big part of the park. He does a lot of things that are encouraging to see in a young hitter.”
RHP Braden Nett (A’s No. 6 prospect)
Nett has battled injuries this year, including a finger issue that limited him in his one outing for Triple-A Las Vegas this season. That lone outing, however, was eye-popping, as Nett flashed a triple-digit fastball and struck out five over 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Nett is expected back near the end of May, and his arsenal could make him a potential candidate to join the A’s as a starter or reliever later this season.
“After his first outing in Vegas, [Triple-A manager Fran Riordan] called me and he said, ‘This is the best guy I’ve seen since Mason Miller,’” A’s director of player development Ed Sprague said on A’s Cast. “He’s got good stuff and he’s a competitor. We’re going to use him as a starter to get him stretched out, but he could very easily help the [big league] bullpen if we can get him back healthy.”
RHP Henry Baez (No. 14 prospect)
Baez was recently activated off the 7-day injured list at Double-A Midland, where he’s posted a 6.75 ERA in three starts with 13 strikeouts across 9 1/3 innings.
RHP Eduarniel Núñez
After seeing some big league action last season, Núñez was designated for assignment earlier this month and later traded to the Orioles for cash considerations on May 15.