Casey Mize has quietly worked his way into the trade conversation, and the Detroit Tigers right-hander now looks like one of the more interesting arms to watch before the Aug. 3 deadline.
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan put the odds of Mize being dealt at 60%, a notable number for a pitcher who has not been the loudest name in the market. Tarik Skubal is still viewed as the Tigers starter most likely to move, but Mize has become an under-the-radar chip with real appeal.
The numbers explain why. Through 13 starts this season, Mize has posted a career-best 2.64 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, while striking out 72 batters.
He has also taken a clear step forward against left-handed hitters, holding them to one home run and racking up 44 strikeouts. That improvement has turned a previous weakness into one of the more valuable parts of his profile.
For the Atlanta Braves, Mize fits as a relatively low-cost, high-upside rotation add. Their pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries, and Mize’s blend of efficiency and stuff would give them another starter who can help steady the group. He has a 5.7% walk rate, a 34.6% hard hit rate and a 28.7% whiff rate, all of which point to a pitcher who can miss bats and limit damage.
His arsenal also gives him a postseason look that teams tend to covet. As a former No. 1 overall pick, Mize brings rotation versatility, and his splitter has been especially effective, producing a 34% whiff rate. That kind of weapon plays against deeper lineups in the NL.
Mize also comes in with some momentum. He won his second straight start and earned his fourth victory in the Tigers’ 6-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four.
The St. Louis Cardinals also stand out as a logical landing spot.
Mize would help stabilize their rotation by keeping the ball in the park - he has allowed only five home runs this season - and his command has been a big part of that. He is also in his “walk season” with the Tigers, and his strikeout rate has climbed from 22.2% in 2025 to 25.7% this season.
On top of that, the financial side makes him even more attractive. Mize is carrying a remaining salary of around $2 million, which gives him real value as a sub-3.00 ERA starter without forcing a team to strip down its farm system to get him.
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