The Padres are enjoying early returns from a deal that still has a long way to go, but the initial signs are favorable for San Diego. In a trade that sent Leo De Vries to the Athletics in exchange for Mason Miller ahead of the 2025 trade deadline, San Diego landed a hard-throwing reliever who has carried his performance into the current season. Miller has piled up 12 strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings with the Padres so far, providing a clear bullpen boost that the club hoped to get from the move.
Miller’s early showing in San Diego has reinforced the decision to pull the trigger on the deal. The 12 strikeouts in just over five innings indicate the potential for late-inning punch, and Padres fans are encouraged by the immediate impact, even as the season unfolds. The early return is what the organization hoped for when they acquired a high-upside reliever with experience in high-leverage situations.
On the other side of the swap, Leo De Vries has struggled after moving to the Athletics’ system. Entering Friday, the 18-year-old outfielder is batting .182 through 12 games with High-A Lansing, with no home runs and 14 strikeouts. He had shown substantial impact in San Diego’s farm system this year, posting 31 extra-base hits in 82 games, including eight home runs, prior to the trade. In his first dozen games with the Athletics’ affiliates, he has managed just two extra-base hits and is currently mired in a 1-for-19 stretch.
The contrast between Miller’s early major-league impact and De Vries’ early growing pains is understandable given their age and the different developmental paths involved. Padres fans’ relief at De Vries’ slow start is tempered by the knowledge that a young prospect’s progress can swing quickly, and the time to develop remains on his side. The deal underscores how teams weigh immediate contributions against long-term upside in prospect-rich trades.
Outlook: if Miller continues to show upside in high-leverage situations, the Padres’ short-term bullpen stability could be a meaningful win in the present season. De Vries’ trajectory will determine whether the trade ultimately tilts in Oakland’s favor a few years down the line. For now, San Diego will take the early momentum, while the Athletics watch to see how De Vries adapts and grows.
Summary: San Diego’s exchange for Mason Miller has yielded an encouraging early impact from the veteran reliever, while Leo De Vries is adjusting to a new organization with mixed results so far. The move reflects a classic balance of immediate help and long-term potential, with Padres fans feeling a cautious optimism about the present and a wait-and-see approach for the future. If Miller sustains his early performance and De Vries progresses, the trade could emerge as a win for both sides over time.