Writing is on the wall for Tigers and Casey Mize to part ways this offseason

When the Detroit Tigers selected right-hander Casey Mize first overall in the 2018 MLB Draft, they undoubtedly saw him as a key piece of their future. But six years and several injuries later, that no longer feels like the case.

Mize's injury-riddled tenure with the Tigers has been inconsistent at best, calling his with the organization further into question. He had returned to action for the Tigers this season after not pitching since April 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and a subsequent back surgery, but a hamstring strain landed him on the injured list once again in early July.

The Tigers later transferred Mize from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL just before the trade deadline, making him ineligible to return until September. It was a somewhat surprising move, considering Mize had thrown a successful bullpen session as part of his rehab plan and was otherwise progressing well in his recovery. Even Mize himself appeared to be caught off guard by the move.

"I want to play," he said at the time (via The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen). "I feel like I'll be ready prior to that, to be honest. That missed time is definitely frustrating for a team that I feel like needs me."

That probably should have been the first sign that Mize's days with the Tigers could be numbered. He was clearly at odds with the club's plans for him, and things didn't get any better as the rest of the season unfolded.

Writing is on the wall for Tigers and Casey Mize to part ways this offseason

When Mize returned from the IL in September, the results weren't optimal. In five games (three starts), he logged a 5.60 ERA and struggled to pitch deep into games. He made the roster for the Tigers' American League Wild Card series against the Houston Astros, but he didn't pitch in either game. When Mize was conspicuously left off the Tigers' roster for the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians, it seemed that his fate was all but sealed.

Mize signed a one-year, $840,000 contract with the Tigers for the 2024 season that includes a $3.1 million club option for 2025. If the Tigers choose to decline the option, Mize will receive a $10,000 buyout and remain arbitration-controlled through 2026. But even at that point, Detroit might to opt and non-tender him.

If the past few months have been any indication, it seems likely that the Tigers will indeed decline Mize's $3.1 million option and cut ties with their former top prospect. In Detroit's magical second-half surge, Mize played only a supporting role at best, so it feels unlikely that the Tigers will be inclined to more than triple his salary for next season.

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