The San Diego Padres had the best trade deadline in Major League Baseball, no matter how anyone wants to put it.
Of course, one could argue for a few other teams, but the Padres did what they had to do, and they're currently reaping the benefits of that, now leading the Los Angeles Dodgers by one game.
Their biggest trade deadline acquisition, Mason Miller, who went for one of the top prospects in Major League Baseball, Leo De Vries, might not just be a closer for the Padres moving forward.
Many view him as a potential starter, and according to a recent report from MLB.com's Thomas Harrigan, that could affect some of the Padres' free agents, including Dylan Cease.
"The flamethrowing right-hander has given San Diego's bullpen another electric arm, though it remains to be seen how long he'll actually stay there. No, Miller isn't going anywhere -- he's controllable through 2029 -- but there have been rumblings that the Padres could consider transitioning him back to the rotation in the future. With Dylan Cease, Michael King and the newly acquired Nestor Cortes all nearing free agency, how the Friars decide to proceed with Miller could have a major impact on their approach to the starting pitching market this offseason," he wrote.
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If the Padres plan to stretch Miller out over the next few months, after the season, and convert him to a full-time starter, there wouldn't be much of a reason to keep all three of Cease, Michael King, and Nestor Cortes on the roster.
Cease is likely still the best pitcher in that group, but Miller worked as a starter earlier in his career, and if his fastball plays at the level it has in a starting rotation, he'd be dominant, which could lead to Cease leaving in free agency.