Miller signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Padres on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

EDGE Analysis

The terms of the deal have yet to be announced, though Miller was projected at $3.3 million in his first year of arbitration, per Spotrac.com. Miller opened the 2025 regular season with the Athletics before being traded to the Padres in July, and between both teams he posted a 2.63 ERA, 0.91 WHIP 10 holds, 22 saves (out of 26 opportunities) and a 104:28 K:BB across 61.2 innings. Miller served in a high-leverage role out of the Padres bullpen after being the Athletics' top closer. However, with Robert Suarez signing with Atlanta during the offseason, Miller figures to be San Diego's closer for the 2026 campaign.

Padres manager Craig Stammen said Monday that Miller will remain in the bullpen next season, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Padres mulled the idea of shifting Miller to their rotation, but Stammen noted Monday that that move would have been "a risky proposition health-wise and performance-wise." With confirmation that he'll stay in the bullpen, Miller should open 2026 as the Padres' closer and has a strong case to be the first reliever to be taken in fantasy drafts. The 27-year-old boasts a 2.56 ERA and 43.1 percent strikeout rate over the last two regular seasons, notching 28 saves over that time.

Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller said Tuesday that the team will discuss in the coming weeks whether Miller will remain in the bullpen or move into the starting rotation next season, 97.3 The Fan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Miller has been a full-time reliever the last two seasons and has been arguably the best bullpen arm in the game during that span, collecting a 2.56 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 43.1 percent strikeout rate over 115 regular-season appearances. If the Padres elect to keep him in a relief role, he would likely take over as closer, as incumbent Robert Suarez is expected to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract and become a free agent. However, Miller has past experience as a starter and the club could try him in that role, particularly if it loses both Dylan Cease and Michael King in free agency.

Miller walked one and struck out three over 1.1 hitless and scoreless innings to earn the save in Friday's 7-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Miller was brought in when Kyle Hart and David Morgan made a mess of the eighth inning, and he was able to get the last out. Miller was already the fifth reliever into the game for the Padres, and they kept him in to finish off the save rather than having Robert Suarez enter the contest. This was Miller's 22nd save of the season but just his second since joining the Padres at the trade deadline. He's pitched to a 0.81 ERA over 22.1 innings while racking up a 42:10 K:BB and 10 holds during his time in San Diego, giving the team an excellent one-two punch at the back end of the bullpen.

Miller earned a hold against the White Sox on Sunday, walking two batters and striking out one over a hitless and scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Miller wasn't at his best in the outing, throwing just eight of 19 pitches for strikes. He entered with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh frame, so each of his two walks forced in a run, but he was able to escape the inning with the Padres still in the lead. Though this was far from his best performance, Miller extended to 18 his streak of scoreless appearances. The talented reliever has tossed 19 innings during that span, giving up just four hits while posting a sizzling 36:8 K:BB and recording nine holds with one save.

Miller earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, striking out three batters and walking one over one hitless and scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

The Padres rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth frame to take their first lead, and Miller got the call to protect a one-run lead in the bottom of the inning. He issued a two-out walk but overpowered the other three batters he faced, striking them out on a combined nine pitches. Miller's first two outings with the Padres weren't great -- he allowed two runs on three hits over two frames -- but his dominance Wednesday emphasizes what a tremendous impact he could make on the team's already great bullpen. That said, Miller's fantasy value actually took a hit with his move to San Diego, as he probably isn't going to be the full-time closer given the presence of All-Star Robert Suarez. Though Miller closed Wednesday, that may have been at least partly due to Suarez tossing 1.2 frames one day earlier.

Miller allowed two hits and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn a hold in Friday's 4-1 win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

The Padres' acquisition of Miller came amid a flurry of moves for the team, but Robert Suarez also remained in San Diego. That could lead to the creation of a closer committee. In Friday's contest, Miller was brought in to face the Cardinals' fifth through eighth hitters, while Suarez worked the ninth inning as the order turned over. Miller has youth on his side, but he was a little wild at times with the Athletics, posting a 3.76 ERA and 59:18 K:BB over 38.1 innings prior to the trade. Keep an eye on this bullpen in the coming weeks to see how the ninth-inning duties get divvied up.

The Padres acquired Miller and JP Sears from the Athletics on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports, in exchange for shortstop Leo De Vries and three right-handed pitchers -- Braden Nett Eduarniel Nunez and Henry Baez.

EDGE Analysis

De Vries is the headliner going to the Athletics, and the Padres will send three pitchers to the A's, as well. With Miller poised to take over as the Padres' closer, incumbent closer Robert Suarez is expected to be traded. Miller has collected a 3.76 ERA and 59:18 K:BB over 38.1 innings this season for the Athletics and is under team control through 2029.

Miller struck out one and walked one in 1.1 scoreless innings to secure the save in Thursday's 4-2 win against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander was called upon with two outs and two on in the eighth inning, but he induced a flyout from Jose Altuve and returned for the ninth to put away Houston. Miller has converted his past six save chances and hasn't given up a run in his last 10 appearances. It's been a bit of an up-and-down campaign for the A's closer, but he still has a 3.86 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 58:18 K:BB over 37.1 innings while going 20-for-23 in save opportunities.

Miller tossed a scoreless inning to earn a save against Toronto on Sunday. He allowed one hit and struck out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

Miller tossed 13 of 18 pitches for strikes and forced Vladimir Guerrero to ground into a double play to close out the 6-3 win. Miller has converted five straight saves while delivering eight consecutive scoreless frames since his last blown chance June 19. His season ERA fell to 4.04 with a 57:17 K:BB over 35.2 innings. Miller has converted 19 of his 22 save opportunities, including eight of his last nine.