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 Luis Severino and José Leclerc two of their highest-paid players. But more importantly, they signed Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler to long-term extensions, their first since Trevor Cahill in 2011. As the Athletics secure their future, their next contract priority should be keeping Miller, one of the most dominant closers in baseball, in their bullpen.
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.
General manager David Forst told Evan Drellich of The Athletic that the team was “holding extension talks with multiple players” this spring, but did not specify who. Speaking with Foul Territory on Friday, Miller said that while he “hopes” for an extension, he has not been approached. 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’ seemingly expanded payroll, extending him now before he becomes arbitration-eligible would be more cost-effective.
Mason Miller said the A’s have not yet approached him about a contract extension.
“I’m just going to keep doing what I do.” pic.twitter.com/I5yI70urP2
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 14, 2025
Why Mason Miller Should Be the Athletics’ Next Big Extension Priority
Looking at his arbitration years, Josh Hader, who made $38.875 million over four arbitration-eligible seasons, is the best comparison. Despite some early usage detractors, Hader, a year younger than Miller at eligibility, earned over $10 million in each of his final two arbitration seasons. He then signed the largest contract for a reliever in history – a five-year, $95 million contract with the Houston Astros.
Due to the general volatility of relief pitching, relievers with just one to two years of service time have rarely been extended. If the A’s were to extend Miller, it would almost certainly set a new standard for that class of relievers. The five-year, $20 million guarantee the Cleveland Guardians gave Emmanuel Clase in 2022 is the current record. Clase was coming off a strong first full season, recording a 1.29 ERA with 24 saves and 74 strikeouts. His deal also included a pair of $10 million club options, giving Cleveland two more years of club control. Unlike Miller and Hader, Clase was unlikely to reach Super Two status, which establishes a higher baseline for arbitration raises. He had also served a performance-enhancing drug suspension the year before.
Sportrac predicts an extension for the second-year closer to be worth $45 million over six years. Miller would surpass Clase’s record $4 million average annual value with a $7.5 million AAV through his age-31 season. The deal would also buy out one year of unrestricted free agency. With Rooker, Butler, and manager Mark Kotsay all signed through 2028, the A’s first planned year in Las Vegas, extending Miller now ensures the team’s core continues long-term.
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