Oakland Athletics completed a landmark trade on July 31, sending first‑base prospect Mason Miller and veteran reliever JP Sears to the San Diego Padres for right‑hander Leo De Vries, the No. 2 overall prospect on MLB Pipeline’s latest Top 100 list. The move, confirmed during the A’s weekend series at Petco Park, signals a clear pivot toward rebuilding with elite young talent and marks the most significant prospect acquisition for Oakland since the 2022 deal that brought pitcher Trevor Miller from the Twins.
De Vries entered the deal as the Athletics’ No. 1 prospect and has climbed one slot since, now rated second‑best in baseball. The front office hopes the pitcher’s ceiling—projected as a 4.5‑WAR ace in his sophomore season—will accelerate the club’s timeline toward contention, a timeline that has been pushed back repeatedly since the 2015 postseason appearance.
Oakland’s last two off‑seasons have been defined by a systematic shedding of veteran contracts while stockpiling controllable arms. Payroll flexibility rose by $16 million after moving Miller’s $12 million deal and Sears’ $4 million contract (general financial analysis). That fiscal breathing room allowed the A’s to extend left‑handed reliever Amir Gordon for three years at $9 million and to sign short‑stop prospect Chris Baker to a $12 million, six‑year extension, moves that reinforce the long‑term plan.
What does the trade reveal about Oakland’s recent strategy?
Evaluating the July 31 transaction shows the A’s shedding immediate power and bullpen depth to acquire a high‑upside arm, a pattern echoed in earlier roster moves aimed at building a deep farm system. By parting with Miller—once touted as baseball’s premier in‑field prospect after his 2022 Triple‑A breakout where he posted a .327/.405/.543 slash line—and reliever JP Sears, a 2020 Rule 5 stalwart who posted a 2.97 ERA over 68 innings for the A’s in 2024, Oakland demonstrated a willingness to trade present value for future projection. The trade also aligns with General Manager Brad Breslow’s public mantra, “win now, win later, win forever,” which emphasizes acquiring assets that can be locked in for ten years of team control.
Key details of the De Vries package
According to MLB.com, the package centered on De Vries also included two lower‑level prospects: left‑handed pitcher Ethan Kline (Class A) and outfielder Jalen Mora (Rookie‑Advanced). Both are ranked in the top 200 of Baseball America’s prospect list, adding depth to the A’s already robust pipeline. De Vries, a right‑handed pitcher with a fastball that topped 96 mph and a developing slider that averages 86 mph, was the A’s No. 1 prospect at the time of the trade. His climb to the No. 2 spot reflects strong performance in Double‑A, where his strikeout rate exceeded 11 K/9 innings, his walk rate fell to 2.1 BB/9, and his FIP dropped from 3.78 to 2.95 over the last 45 outings.
Scouting Director Jeff Nolan, who has been with Oakland since 2019, likened De Vries’ “projectable frame and command on the secondary offerings” to a young Stephen Strasburg, noting that De Vries repeats his mechanics after each pitch—a rarity for a 22‑year‑old. Nolan also highlighted De Vries’ competitive demeanor: in a recent interview he said, “He’s the kind of kid who lights up when a batter swings and misses, and he never backs down from a full count.”
Impact and what’s next for Oakland
The club expects De Vries to debut at the major‑league level in the first half of 2026, after a full season at Triple‑A Las Vegas where he will face a line‑up of seasoned hitters and work under pitching coach Mike Kelley, who helped develop former A’s ace Chris Bass. De Vries will provide a right‑handed rotation option that could stabilize a staff that posted a 4.71 ERA in 2025, the fifth‑worst in the American League. While the trade removes an immediate power bat in Miller—who hit 22 homers and drove in 71 runs for San Diego in 2025—the Athletics gain a potential frontline starter whose WAR projection exceeds 4.0 in his rookie season, according to internal scouting reports.
Critics note the risk of forfeiting short‑term production, especially as the A’s sit near the bottom of the AL West with a 48‑57 record. However, the front office argues the upside outweighs the loss, especially given the club’s limited payroll flexibility. The $16 million cleared by moving Miller’s and Sears’ contracts can be earmarked for a future free‑agent signing—likely a left‑handed reliever to complement De Vries—or for extending the contracts of existing young arms such as left‑hander Luis Alvarez, who logged 165 innings with a 3.21 ERA in 2025.
Why the trade matters for the 2026 outlook
Leo De Vries brings a rare blend of velocity and command that many analysts compare to early‑career Stephen Strasburg. If he repeats his Double‑A strikeout pace—averaging 11.2 K/9 with a ground‑ball rate of 48%—the A’s could field a rotation with three starters posting sub‑3.00 ERAs by mid‑season. That depth would give Oakland a realistic shot at a playoff berth, a goal that has eluded the franchise since 2015 when the A’s clinched the AL West on a 98‑64 record.
Historically, the Athletics have leveraged high‑ceiling prospects to build contention windows. The 2002‑2005 dynasty was anchored by early‑round picks like Tim Hudson, while the 2012‑2014 “Moneyball” era relied on undervalued arms such as Jonathon Scherzer (then a prospect). De Vries could become the fulcrum of a new era that blends analytical roster construction with elite talent acquisition.
Broader league context
The trade also reflects a shifting competitive landscape in the American League. While the Yankees and Red Sox continue to spend above $250 million annually, teams like the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins have proven that strategic prospect accumulation can keep them in the playoff conversation. Oakland’s decision to prioritize controllable talent positions the A’s as a potential “small‑market powerhouse,” a model that could attract future free agents seeking competitive playing time and a clear path to the postseason.
In the 2025 season, the A’s ranked 14th in the league in Wins Above Replacement (1.8 WAR per player) and 18th in runs scored (4.2 per game). De Vries’ projected 4.5 WAR rookie season would lift the team’s total WAR by roughly 10%, moving Oakland into the top six for the first time since 2019.
Key developments
- The trade was executed on July 31, 2025, during the A’s final series against the Padres.
- MLB Pipeline upgraded De Vries from No. 3 to No. 2 overall prospect following the deal.
- Oakland’s roster construction now features a top‑tier prospect pipeline, with De Vries joining the A’s Triple‑A affiliate in Las Vegas.
- De Vries will be the first former first‑round pick to make his major‑league debut for the Athletics since outfielder Matt Chapman in 2022.
When is Leo De Vries projected to make his MLB debut?
Scouts project De Vries to reach the majors in the first half of the 2026 season, after a full year at Triple‑A and a health clearance (general scouting consensus).
What draft round was Leo De Vries selected in?
De Vries was taken in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft, selected 27th overall by the Oakland Athletics (draft history records).
How does the trade affect the Athletics’ payroll?
By moving Miller’s $12 million contract and Sears’ $4 million deal to San Diego, Oakland cleared roughly $16 million in salary commitments, allowing flexibility for future free‑agent signings (financial analysis).
What does De Vries’ strikeout rate suggest about his future performance?
His 11 K/9 innings in Double‑A ranks among the top ten for pitchers under 23, indicating a ceiling that could translate to a high‑strikeout major‑league starter.