Tigers might be entering new awkward territory with a resurgent Casey Mize

Right-hander Casey Mize had his $3.1 million contract option declined by the Detroit Tigers in November, kicking off an offseason of uncertainty for the former No. 1 overall pick. Now, nearly five months later, he looks like a candidate for a hefty contract extension.

Mize was the final member of the Tigers' starting rotation to make his 2025 season debut on Tuesday, and he proved to be worth the wait. He breezed through his first five innings with 65 pitches before running into a bit of trouble in the sixth, but he ended up allowing just one hit, striking out six and walking three in 5 2/3 scoreless frames in the Tigers' 4-1 win over the Seattle Mariners.

Originally selected first overall by the Tigers in the 2018 MLB Draft, Mize is coming off a rocky, injury-riddled 2024 season that gave way to a dominant spring training performance during what was his first fully healthy offseason since 2020-21. It's still early in the season, but the 27-year-old is already looking like his old self – perhaps even better.

Tigers' Casey Mize could be making case for contract extension

In hindsight, the Tigers declining Mize's option during the offseason wasn't as dramatic of a statement as we initially thought it was. He essentially lost two years in 2022-23 due to Tommy John and back surgeries, so it would have taken an otherworldly comeback season from him in 2024 for the Tigers to pick up the $3.1 million club option instead of going back to arbitration with him and settling on a more team-friendly price.

Mize and the Tigers agreed on a $2.34 million salary for 2025, and the right-hander is eyeing his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2026. In other words, this would be the ideal time for Detroit to start thinking about locking him into a long-term extension before his asking price continues to go up. If Tuesday's outing was any indication, Mize is working to prove that his incredible spring showing wasn't a fluke.

While getting Mize signed to an extension isn't necessarily an urgent priority for the Tigers, it is one they will need to start thinking about – especially if he continues to look as dominant as he has throughout spring training and his first start of the season. If Scott Harris and the Tigers want to mend any possible damage done to their relationship with Mize in their handling of his injuries last season or declining his club option, now is the time if they feel they can get ahead of it.

More Tigers content from Motor City Bengals