Casey Mize Could Be Cubs' Perfect Trade Deadline Addition

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If the MLB playoffs started today, the Chicago Cubs would hold the No. 4 seed in the National League. That's a pretty good place to be, and yet, they have spent much of the season proving they're a legitimate postseason contender. They've built a roster capable of making some noise in October, to be sure, but that's also exactly why they can't afford to stand pat. As we've known for quite some time now, this is a team that could desperately use some pitching help. The injuries have piled up all season long, particularly in the bullpen, but the starting rotation hasn't exactly been spared either. Chicago has managed to stay afloat despite the constant turnover, but expecting that to continue through October is asking a lot.

Beyond the obvious, blockbuster types, one name that makes a lot of sense is Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize.

Mize, the first overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, has spent his entire professional career with the Tigers. He's had an up-and-down road to this point between injuries and inconsistency, but he's putting together arguably the best season of his career. Over 86 2/3 innings this season, he's posted a 2.70 ERA and a sparkling 0.99 WHIP while striking out 85 hitters compared to just 19 walks. And with Detroit currently sitting seven games below .500, this may be the perfect time for both sides to move on.

He’s done an impressive job limiting hard contact all season long, with his hard-hit rate, barrel rate and average exit velocity all ranking better than league average. Mize attacks hitters with a five-pitch mix that allows him to keep both lefties and righties off balance, giving him multiple ways to navigate a lineup. He may not profile as a true ace, but he absolutely looks like the type of reliable middle-of-the-rotation starter every playoff team wants heading into October.

He’s set to hit free agency after the season, making him an ideal rental candidate. If the Tigers don't believe they'll be able to retain him, it would make plenty of sense to see what kind of return they can get before the trade deadline. That's where the Cubs could come in. Not only do they need another starter, but they specifically need a quality right-handed one. Chicago's three best right-handed starters — Cade Horton, Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera — are all currently on the injured list. That's left the Cubs without a dependable right-handed presence toward the front half of the rotation, making that an obvious area to address before the deadline. Mize checks just about every box.

Perhaps just as importantly, his status as a rental should keep the acquisition cost somewhat reasonable; really all an acquiring team has to do is surpass whatever value the Tigers would get from a declined qualifying offer. So, what could a trade actually look like?

From Detroit's perspective, their offensive core is in a really good place. Between guys like Kevin McGonigle, Riley Greene and the recently promoted Max Clark, they have plenty of young position-player talent to build around for years to come. The bigger question lies on the pitching side. If Detroit is truly willing to listen to offers for both Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal, it's fair to assume they'll be looking to replenish their pitching pipeline. The organization simply doesn't have a ton of high-end pitching prospects waiting in the wings.

Chicago almost certainly wouldn't want to move its top pitching prospect, Jaxon Wiggins, in a deal for a short-term rental. But someone like Brooks Caple is a much more realistic conversation.

Caple has quietly put together a strong season at Double-A Knoxville, posting a 3.55 ERA across 55 2/3 innings. Since being drafted in 2024, his arsenal has taken a noticeable step forward, and one thing that's remained consistent throughout his development is his ability to throw strikes. He may never develop into a frontline starter, but there's a lot to like about his chances of becoming a dependable back-of-the-rotation arm at the major-league level. For a rebuilding team looking to add controllable pitching, that's exactly the type of prospect worth targeting.

Another interesting name is Kaleb Wing. Wing is still just 19 years old, so there's a lot more projection involved than with Caple. He isn't nearly as polished, but the upside is intriguing. If Detroit's scouting department is especially high on Wing's long-term potential, it's not hard to envision him headlining a package alongside another lower-level prospect. Regardless of which prospect ultimately headlines a deal, the framework makes sense for both organizations. The Cubs get a proven major-league starter without sacrificing one of the very best pieces in their farm system. The Tigers acquire controllable pitching talent in exchange for a player who may only have a couple of months left with the organization anyway. It's the kind of trade deadline deal that benefits both sides.