Padres Closer Mason Miller Takes Definitive Stance On His Future As A Starter

Last year, the San Diego Padres acquired Mason Miller to be a late-inning weapon out of their bullpen. Miller wants to remain in that role 2026, even if the team thinks he could dominate elsewhere on the pitching staff. As a reminder, the right-hander is the team's projected closer after Robert Suarez signed with the Braves, but there has been chatter this winter that the Friars might consider converting Miller or Adrian Morejon back to starting to bolster a thin rotation.

Miller is not a fan of the idea.

"It's been an exciting conversation that's been had year in and year out since I did transition to the bullpen, I've had a lot of success (as a reliever), and right now, to go away from that doesn't make sense for me," he told Todd Frazier on the Foul Territory podcast Thursday.

Miller, 27, was almost unhittable out of the 'pen for San Diego after coming over from the Athletics last July 31. He allowed seven hits and struck out 45 (with 10 walks) over 23 1/3 innings. He also worked 2 2/3 scoreless frames in the Wild Card Series against the Cubs. His last MLB start was on Sept. 16, 2023, as an A's rookie against the Padres. He allowed two runs in an inning as an opener for Luis Medina. Since then, he has made 118 consecutive relief appearances.

"I'm never going to be the guy that rules (returning to starting) out down the line, but I will admit it is hard to go away from something that you're having a lot of success with," he told Frazier. "And I think my value right now is being the lockdown guy in the ninth or late in games." 

"Down the road? Maybe, we'll see, but this year we're looking at the bullpen," he added.

Miller pointed out that there is a clear economic benefit to him remaining a reliever.

"My first year in the (salary arbitration) system, I'm being (compared) as a reliever, and a pretty good reliever at that, so I'm going to keep that ball rolling," he said. Miller and the Padres avoided a hearing by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million contract last week.

San Diego has less of a need for starters after re-signing Michael King to a three-year, $75 million contract, but The Athletic reported last week that club is telling teams they want to add another arm. Their limited financial (and prospect) resources make the path to achieving that unclear, but displacing perhaps the most dominant closer in the modern game doesn't seem to be the right way of going aboutit.

On a lighter note, Miller is contemplating a new entrance song. He told Erik Kratz that he's down to a few options to replace Nickelback's "Burn it to the Ground." The goal is to amp up the energy.

"Nickelback seemed to be so-so last year, so I think we're going to go a different route," he said.