Athletics Trade for Top Prospect Leo De Vries in Deal with Padres

The Oakland Athletics have made a significant move, trading pitchers Mason Miller and J.P. Sears to the San Diego Padres for highly regarded shortstop Leo De Vries, along with three additional prospects. The announcement came just hours before the trade deadline, signaling a strategic shift for both teams.

Mason Miller, 26, has made a name for himself as a reliable closer, setting an A's rookie record with 28 saves last season and earning an All-Star nod in the American League. This year, he has maintained a solid performance with a 3.76 ERA and 20 saves over 38 appearances, making him a valuable asset for the Padres' already formidable bullpen.

Joining Miller in the trade is left-handed starter J.P. Sears, who has struggled this season with a 4.95 ERA and a 7-9 record. Despite allowing the second-most home runs in the majors, Sears has been a consistent presence on the mound, not missing a start in three seasons.

In exchange, the Athletics are welcoming 18-year-old Leo De Vries, who stands out as the Padres' top prospect and ranks third overall in Major League Baseball according to MLB.com. De Vries has shown promise in 2025, batting .245 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs for the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps. His recent participation in the Futures Game highlights his potential as a future star.

De Vries has exclusively played shortstop, a position recently spotlighted by Jacob Wilson, who became only the second rookie to start an All-Star game at that position. This acquisition could signal a long-term investment in the A's infield.

Alongside De Vries, the Athletics are also acquiring young right-handed pitchers Henry Baez, Braden Nett, and Eduarniel Núñez. Nett, ranked as the Padres' third-best prospect, has posted a 3.39 ERA in 17 starts for Double-A San Antonio this season and boasts a career ERA of 3.78 over 182.2 innings in the minors.

Henry Baez, ranked 13th in the Padres' system, has excelled this season with a 4-2 record and an impressive 1.96 ERA across 20 starts. His performance earned him the Padres' minor league pitcher of the year award last year.

Eduarniel Núñez is the only player involved in this trade who has seen action in the big leagues this year. He appeared in four games for San Diego, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over 4.2 innings. In addition to his major league experience, Núñez has struck out 56 batters and collected seven saves across 35 innings pitched in Double-A and Triple-A this season.