But Preller, like Beane before him, prefers to focus on what he gets rather than what he gives, and how this year's prize, Miller, joins Justin Upton, Craig Kimbrel, Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Josh Hader, Juan Soto, Dylan Cease, Luis Arráez and Tanner Scott -- players who came back in deals and, in varying ways, made the Padres matter.

Mason Miller made his debut with the San Diego Padres on Friday night, plus when he found out that a trade could happen.

The San Diego Padres have landed closer Mason Miller and left-handed starting pitcher JP Sears from the Athletics in a blockbuster trade deadline deal, the team announced Thursday. The return includes top shortstop prospect Leodalis De Vries, who ranked No. 3 on CBS Sports' midseason rankings.