The Chicago Cubs’ rotation has been battered by injuries all season, leaving the front office searching for reliable arms ahead of the trade deadline.
In that context, Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize has emerged as one of the more intriguing options available, and the North Side should be paying close attention.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post has reported that Mize should be next up for the Tigers after the departure of Tarik Skubal, calling him the “best rental” left among starters according to one rival general manager.
Heyman listed the Cubs — who pursued Skubal before he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers — among a group of possible suitors that also includes the Braves, Diamondbacks, Rays, Padres and Yankees.
The description fits. Mize, the former No. 1 overall pick, is in the final year of club control and is posting the best numbers of his career: a 2.70 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across 86 2/3 innings, with strong strikeout rates and the competitive edge that scouts have long praised.
From the Cubs’ perspective, the fit is straightforward. Chicago’s right-handed starting depth has been hit especially hard, with several key arms sidelined for significant stretches.
Adding a pitcher who has limited free bases, missed bats at a career-high rate, and shown the ability to work deep into games would immediately stabilize the middle of the rotation. Mize’s profile as a rental keeps the cost more manageable than the price of a controllable ace, which matters for a club that has already invested in short-term help and still needs to address the bullpen as well.
The Cubs have shown they are willing to be aggressive. Their late-June acquisition of David Peterson signaled a clear intent to reinforce the staff for a postseason push.
Mize would represent a logical next step—an experienced, high-upside arm who can slot into the rotation without requiring a multi-year commitment.
His history of injuries is a known risk, but the current form is too strong to ignore, and the Tigers’ decision to scratch him from a recent start only reinforces the likelihood that he will be moved before the deadline.
For a Cubs team that still sees itself as a legitimate contender, landing Mize would send a message. It would give the pitching staff another high-quality option for the stretch run and beyond into October, while pairing him with the defense and lineup that have kept Chicago competitive despite the injury attrition.
Whether the front office can outbid the other clubs on Heyman’s list remains to be seen, but the opportunity is clear. Casey Mize would be a meaningful upgrade, and Wrigley Field would be an excellent place for him to finish the season.
