{"id":97933,"date":"2025-03-24T19:27:10","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T23:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=97933"},"modified":"2025-03-24T19:27:10","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T23:27:10","slug":"athletics-mason-miller-extension-priority","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/03\/24\/athletics-mason-miller-extension-priority\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Mason Miller is the Athletics’ Next Big Contract Priority"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Athletics finally added to their payroll this offseason, and closer Mason Miller is a prime candidate for their next massive contract extension. One of the most frugal franchises in baseball, the Athletics have spent some money this winter, making free agents <\/span>Luis Severino<\/span> and <\/span>Jos\u00e9 Leclerc<\/span> two of their highest-paid players. But more importantly, they signed Brent Rooker and <\/span>Lawrence Butler<\/span> to long-term<\/a> extensions<\/a>, their first since Trevor Cahill in 2011. As the Athletics secure their future, their next contract priority should be keeping<\/span>\u00a0Miller<\/span>, one of the most dominant closers in baseball, in their bullpen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Miller is making just over the league minimum in his final season before becoming arbitration-eligible. Starting in 2026, the 26-year-old flamethrower will qualify for arbitration as a Super Two and will only get more expensive over the next four seasons. Originally a starter, the Athletics shifted Miller to the bullpen last season to save his arm after a UCL scare the year before. After debuting as the 10th starter in the Statcast era to throw 15 pitches over 100 mph, he quickly established himself as a dominant closer. Miller, a first-time All-Star last season, led all qualified relievers with a 41.8% strikeout rate and 14.4 strikeouts per nine.<\/span><\/p>\n

General manager David Forst told <\/span>Evan Drellich of The Athletic<\/span><\/a> that the team was \u201cholding extension talks with multiple players\u201d this spring, but did not specify who. <\/span>Speaking with <\/span>Foul Territory<\/span> on Friday, Miller said that while he \u201chopes\u201d for an extension, he has not been approached. <\/span>Miller remains under club control for five more seasons, and before now, the A’s avoided long-term deals with controllable players. However, with the Athletics\u2019 seemingly expanded payroll, extending him now before he becomes arbitration-eligible would be more cost-effective.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mason Miller said the A’s have not yet approached him about a contract extension.<\/p>\n

“I’m just going to keep doing what I do.” pic.twitter.com\/I5yI70urP2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 14, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n