PEORIA, Ariz. -- Mason Miller will be the Padres closer in 2026, new manager Craig Stammen announced on Wednesday, ahead of the first formal workout for pitchers and catchers at the Peoria Sports Complex.
The news, while entirely unsurprising, marks a formal end to the offseason speculation that Miller could transition to a starting role. (Though, in reality, the Padres came to that decision months ago.)
Miller, who was acquired from the A’s in a Trade Deadline blockbuster last summer, starred in a setup role for the Padres down the stretch. He was the obvious choice to succeed two-time All-Star closer Robert Suarez, who signed with Atlanta during the offseason.
Miller posted a 0.77 ERA in 22 appearances with San Diego, absurdly striking out 45 of the 83 batters he faced. In the postseason, he was somehow even better, making two appearances and striking out eight of the nine Cubs hitters he faced. He tied the postseason record with eight consecutive K's, and he highlighted his performance with arguably the single greatest pitch ever thrown -- a 104.5-mph fastball, at the knees, on the black, to punch out Carson Kelly in a big spot.
On MLB Network’s recent reveal of the game’s top 10 relievers, Miller checked in at No. 2, behind only Aroldis Chapman. Two other Padres featured on that list -- Adrian Morejon at No. 8 and Jason Adam at 10.
Naturally, the Padres are projected by many to own the best bullpen in baseball this season. A year ago, they became the first team in history to send three relievers to the All-Star Game. And that was before they added Miller (and before the emergence of David Morgan). Their already-excellent bullpen might be even better this season.
That was largely the reasoning the club gave for keeping Miller (and Morgan and Morejon) in relief. If the bullpen is the team’s greatest strength -- why weaken it? Particularly with uncertainty about how those relievers might make the transition. Miller had come through the A’s system as a starter and made six starts during his debut 2023 season. But it wasn’t until his move to the bullpen that he reached stardom.
The Padres, of course, boast a storied tradition of great closers -- from Rollie Fingers to Goose Gossage to Trevor Hoffman.
As for Miller ...
“He fits right in,” Stammen said. “He’s going to carry on that tradition.”