It’s clear the San Diego Padres had everyone fooled going into the trade deadline. While some thought they would be sellers, they defied everyone’s expectations and brought in two starting pitchers. Just moments before the deadline, they acquired Casey Mize from the Detroit Tigers for Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf. It is the second time this trade deadline that the Padres sent one of their starters to the NL West. But why did both teams decide to make this move?
Breaking Down the Casey Mize Deal
The Padres Perspective
It was clear that if the Padres wanted to make a run at the postseason, they needed to find starting pitching. Sure, they had acquired Robbie Ray early in the day, but they still only had three starters in the rotation. Meaning they would still have to use two bullpen days. That is a recipe for disaster. The bullpen is going to get overworked and tired, resulting in poor outings or blown games. Adding Mize gives the rotation more depth. It will give them a solid rotation and keep the bullpen somewhat fresh.
Mize is currently in the middle of the best season of his career. Over 86 2/3 innings, he has a 2.70 ERA with 85 strikeouts to 19 walks with a 0.992 WHIP and an ERA+ of 158. Mize has done a great job limiting contact, with his three main pitches having a batting average under .215. He would easily become the ace of the rotation. He is the guy the Padres will turn to during the big games down the stretch. If they make the postseason, he is likely to start game one.
The Tigers Perspective
Going into the deadline, it was clear that the Tigers controlled the pitching market. With Tarik Skubal and Mize both set to be free agents at the end of the year, they needed to get something for them. While Skubal would always be the main piece, they had to capitalize on Mize’s great season. With how much of a rollercoaster he’s been, they needed to make the most of his great start to the season. Get something for the future before he starts to struggle again.
The big get of this deal was Mayfield. According to MLB Pipeline, he is currently the 6th overall prospect in the Tigers system. He’s been great at getting righties out, but has struggled with lefties at times. His main pitch is his fastball, which sits between 90-93 mph but has reached as high as 97 throughout his professional career. Wolf appeared in five innings in the majors back in 2023, but has failed to reach the majors since. He should be seen as a depth pitcher who could be a solid reliever if he figures things out.
