Tigers got every answer they needed to avoid re-signing Casey Mize

After the trade deadline, Tigers fans knew there was little reason to believe Tarik Skubal would find his way back to Detroit in free agency, but there was a glimmer of hope for former first overall pick Casey Mize, who will not only be cheaper (much, much cheaper) than Skubal, but who only really started living up to his potential last season.

The biggest problem with Mize has always been his health. This year alone, he took two trips to the IL while still in Detroit and had a scare in his fourth start with the Padres. But the Tigers have generally been used to that while still finding a way to maximize when he is healthy.

The Padres haven't really been able to replicate that. In six starts for San Diego, who are fighting for a Wild Card spot in the National League, he has a 6.67 ERA and is averaging less than 4 2/3 innings per start.

Maybe the guy just really misses Chris Fetter.

Could the Tigers fix him back up, especially if he finishes the season with a flop and he hits the market as a cheap option? Maybe. But it might be time for them to move on.

Casey Mize's breakdown since Padres trade should have Tigers steering clear in free agency

The Tigers' 2027 rotation is actually in better shape than it might seem, with Framber Valdez, Troy Melton, Jackson Jobe, Keider Montero, and (hopefully) Reese Olson. In years past, that might've been a source of resentment for Tigers fans, who might view it as Scott Harris' excuse for not adding to the rotation in the offseason ... but that's a pretty good rotation, all things considered.

The rotation might better be served by the players who are leaving, rather than the ones Detroit might add. Jack Flaherty and Justin Verlander are both free agents at the end of the season. Verlander is retiring, but Flaherty should be sent on his way.

And Mize ... the Tigers might have some lingering fondness there, which would come as no surprise. He did some commendable work for this team when he could stay healthy, and it his All-Star nod was a highlight for Tigers fans.

But it might be time to turn the page. Not only has Mize underperformed since leaving, they shouldn't let sentimentality get in the way of any of their younger arms' development in the majors.

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