Miller was one of many great pickups the Friars had at the deadline nine days ago, as Ryan O'Hearn, Ramon Laureano, and Freddy Fermin also headed to the West Coast to try to help the Padres claim the NL West for the first time since 2006.

San Diego president of baseball operations A.J. Preller made a huge push for Miller, as is his wont, and the A’s viewed the Mets as the “most serious” option beyond the Padres, per The Athletic. The Mets and A’s reportedly had “very serious” conversation, but the sides did not gain traction and the Amazin’s pivoted in different directions.

Mason Miller is right in the middle of the National League wild-card race as a member of the San Diego Padres, but he was reportedly almost part of the same race with a different team.