The San Diego Padres traded for one of the most electric closers in the MLB at the 2025 trade deadline when they acquired Oakland Athletics’ reliever Mason Miller. However, what Padres fans’ might not have known was Miller had already developed a friendship with a Padres’ Hall of Fame closer.
Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman currently serves as the Padres’ senior advisor for baseball operations. Hoffman played 18 years in the MLB, including 15 seasons with the Padres.
Hoffman was a seven-time All-Star, and led the National League in saves twice. The Padres’ Hall of Famer is also on the Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor and his No. 51 was retired in San Diego.
Hoffman Mentored Miller After First Blown Save
When Miller rose onto the MLB scene in 2024, the electric closer tasted nothing but success. The A’s closer earned 11 straight saves and accumulated 28 strikeouts over that span before his first blown opportunity.
But after his first blown save, Miller took it pretty hard. His manager at the time, Mark Kotsay, decided to reach out to an old teammate to try to give Miller some encouragement.
Kotsay played with Hoffman on the Padres and witnessed the Hall of Fame closer first-hand. So, Kotsay asked his old teammate to reach out to Miller after his first blown save.
“That’s one of the best closers of all time, his number’s up there in the stadium I call home now,” Miller said. “It was pretty cool getting to talk with him.”
“As a young closer that was learning what it takes to succeed, and sometimes that’s through failure, just [Hoffman’s] willingness to take the time to talk to me, felt really cool. Because it was a feeling I hadn’t really felt before.”
Miller went on to convert 17 of his 19 save opportunities the rest of the season. It’s one thing to gain encouragement and advice from a coach, friend, parent or even teammate. But, it feels different coming from a Hall of Fame player at your position.
STRAIGHT GAS from Mason Miller for his first @Padres strikeout!
103 MPH! ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/8Z3g5BgO6H
— MLB (@MLB) August 2, 2025
However, Hoffman was impressed with the A’s young reliever and credited Miller’s ability to handle the situation.
“There really wasn’t much I added,” Hoffman said. “He had a really good handle already. It was just little things like that — like mindset. He’s super mature. He’s very aware of who he is.”
Hoffman had a long, illustrious career in the MLB, and knows what’s it’s like to face adversity along the way. He wants to help the next generation because of the way guys were willing to help him throughout his career.
“Because guys did it for me,” Hoffman said. “But you have to go through it. It’s one thing to talk about it. It’s another to live it and understand. It sucks to have to go through the trials and tribulations to solidify what those people are talking about. But if a conversation can be had … maybe they don’t have to go completely through the pothole.”
In 2025, Miller has collected 21 combined saves with a 3.55 ERA. However, since he’s joined the Padres, his ERA sits at 2.45, and he’s earned a save across 7.1 innings pitched with 15 strikeouts.
The Padres bullpen is pure filth. Go from one guy with closer-type stuff to another. Oh, and then here’s Mason Miller in the 7th inning throwing 103mph.
pic.twitter.com/WMMSUTquGs— Chaston Tavares (@Chaston_Tavares) August 10, 2025
With the addition of Miller, the Padres undoubtably have the deepest bullpen in the MLB. Although Miller and Hoffman have not met in person yet, it’s clear both are very happy to be in San Diego together.
“Obviously, very excited to be able to acquire an arm like that,” Hoffman said. “It’s an opportunity for us to really lengthen our bullpen with the four other guys that we have. This is a bullpen set up for the postseason.”
