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Drew VonScio is a Newsweek contributor based in Pittsburgh, PA. His focus is on MLB content. Drew has been with Newsweek since December 2024 and also works full-time at WTOV, a TV station in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a 2023 graduate of Bethany College (WV) and a 2024 graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. You can get in touch with Drew by emailing d.vonScio@newsweek.com.
Drew VonScio
Contributing Sports Writer
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The San Diego Padres made a statement to the rest of Major League Baseball by acquiring closer Mason Miller from the Athletics at the trade deadline.
After putting the league on notice, general manager A.J. Preller opened up about why he decided to make the move.
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“He’s a super talented pitcher,” Preller told Dennis Lin of The Athletic. “And I think … the focus now is, go do his job that he’s been so good at doing in the bullpen and help us win a championship.”
So far this season, Miller has recorded a 3.66 ERA between the Athletics and Padres. He is 20-for-23 on save opportunities this season and recorded his first hold of the year against St. Louis in his Padres debut.
Miller is going to pair with Robert Suarez for the rest of the season to form a 1-2 punch at the back of the bullpen for San Diego.
Fans may wonder how manager Mike Shildt will handle their usage for the rest of the season. Preller isn’t concerned about who gets the save.
“If we have an opportunity to shorten the game, you want to take that,” Preller told The Athletic.
This move is even further proof that Preller and Padres are all-in heading into the final two months of the season. San Diego was one of the busiest teams at the deadline and hopes to see its vision come to life in the coming months.
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