It's a potentially historic trade-deadline weekend, with the Tigers at the center -- and with readers unloading
Questions, emotions, and spicy trade thoughts were all part of this week's mailbag deluge. Everything from Skubal's haul, to Mize's availability, to Scott Harris' wiles, and 40-man roster takes.
The Mailman has arrived:
Q -- I completely understand the need to trade Tarik Skubal, but can you help me understand why I’m not seeing much conversation about signing Casey Mize? Surely with his limited track record he won’t fetch nearly the price of Skubal. Why not try to sign him? Or is the thought that the Tigers trade him now and try to sign him later, a la Jack Flaherty in 2004?
Andrew from Ypsilanti
A – Andrew: Mize has the same contract disposition as Skubal: They want free agency. They want to see how high the bids can go. If I were in their shoes, I’d do the same. As with Skubal, any offer the Tigers would make on an extension would be seen as a ground-floor, initial bid that could be exceeded by multiple interested suitors. So, that’s why neither guy has been interested in signing extensions with Detroit. There’s too much money to be made in a free-agent auction. Max Scherzer took the same gamble after 2014 -- and it paid off.
Q -- Another thoughtful summary of the situation (“Wednesday’s disaster made clear: The Tigers need to trade Skubal, and Mize”). I hope Scott Harris is thinking the same way. Should be an interesting weekend ahead.
A -- Rick: Harris sees this clearly. People, understandably, say: He has no big-trade background or record that would indicate he can make these kinds of deals. To which I’ve always responded: He’s never really had the trade chips he has this month. There, in my opinion, is the difference. He has a weekend and Monday to show what he can do with an invitation as exclusive as these deadline deals that equate to exceptional market-driven gifts. You can expect that Skubal is as good as gone. And the dealing won’t stop there.
Q — It would be nice for the Tigers to get a break with these trades. In the past there has always been something that seemingly reduced the return they were able to get for their players.
Phillip Britton
A — Again, to repeat: I don’t think the Tigers have had an abundance of tradable material during Harris’ tenure. The Eduardo Rodriguez deal with the Dodgers three years ago was, yes, botched. The Flaherty deal with the Dodgers was about as strong of a return as could have been gotten. Harris doesn’t get sufficient credit for dealing Michael Lorenzen for Hao-Yu Lee. Not a lot of Tigers players, frankly, have been hunted hard by other teams. Until, of course, this summer. We’ll see what happens, Phillip. But these are deals that need to be made — in the plural.
Q — This is a no-brainer: Sell all your assets that are going to be free agents next year for a combination of big-leaguers who can help now. Also, get as much high end, controllable, help for your minor-league teams as possible. Anything less kicks the can down the road three to five years.
Jim F.
A — I wouldn’t worry about this season, Jim. Harris will focus on 2027 and afterward. That much should be clear — to everyone. Otherwise, they’ll be looking at these same midseason circumstances in too many seasons ahead. Cleveland and Chicago are only going to get better. So, too, will the Twins. The Tigers might be losing the personnel race — unless they get an injection from this weekend’s extraordinary trade market.
Q — I’m 100% behind moving Skubal. I’ve been of the opinion we need at least one MLB-ready hitter. But it’s also the continued failures of a bullpen. If they converted half of their blown saves, Detroit would be in the playoffs.
Danny Halling
A — Danny: Not sure you’re guaranteed to get a big-league-ready hitter as part of any trade packages for Skubal or for Mize, although a person at least dress-rehearsing for regular MLB duty definitely figures to be involved. Only a slight distinction there. More likely, there will be arms coming Detroit’s way, bullpen for sure, with a good position prospect or two included. But the combined haul makes this, in my view, a slam-dunk for the Tigers front office. They have a chance to do something dynamic and extremely rare as trade-deadline scenarios go. Few teams ever have had the capacity to make trades at the deadline as strong as the Tigers can pull off these next three days.
Q — I’ll admit I’ve been sour on this team since the early exit of Skubal in the Seattle game (playoffs, 2025) as it represented a cultural problem greater than Skubal himself. Nevertheless, this is their chance to transform a roster, and the only variable would be to understand who leaves the 40-man roster after the influx of talent. Vierling will not be in demand by other teams. He, McKinstry, and Rogers should all be gone by next season.
Chris
A — Chris: This isn’t even a jump-ball for the Tigers. They have a chance to fortify their future rosters (2027 and beyond) by biting the bullet on 2026 and making trades that are imperatives. The only question is whether he’ll also deal Mize. But when word came down Friday morning that Mize is being scratched from his Saturday night start, well, that tells you he’s been at the heart of conversations, as was certain to be the case. Gleyber Torres also figures to be dealt as the Tigers shoot not only for more incoming talent, but as you say, for more 40-man roster space.
Q — Matt Vierling will not be in demand by other teams. He, Zach McKinstry, and Jake Rogers should all be gone by next season.
Clay Tolonen
A — You’re right, Clay: Your 40-man question is, as Chris affirmed, an issue shared by all. Jake Rogers, of course, is now with the Orioles. Vierling is all but guaranteed to depart (was surprised last offseason when he was tendered) and agree Vierling isn’t going to be in any substantive degree of demand by other clubs. McKinstry, also, could be headed elsewhere. Roster space will be at a premium.
Q — I so want to believe you regarding what the Tigers could get for Skubal and Mize. The Tigers tend to overvalue their trade prospects. I just wish I had confidence in Scott Harris to pull off big-time deals.
Gary Betz
A — As stated before, Gary, I get why fans are skeptical that Harris can make trades. But it’s still a matter of this team’s trade assets. And not until this particular time have the Tigers had talent that other teams were willing to hunt for a high-retail return. Now, you can say Harris still should have been making more trades involving lesser-profile players and allowing bulk personnel to shake out an occasional prize. I think that criticism stands. It can be fairly argued that such moves are easier said than done. But more volume-trading, in this view, could have been achieved.
Q — What could the Tigers get if they offered both Skubal and Mize together? They’re still two rentals, but that would really enhance the chances for Milwaukee and Tampa Bay. Or, are they worth more separately? And, if they get four or five players that have to go on the 40 man, are they hurting themselves?
Dave Roberts
A — Dave: No team bidding for Skubal would realistically be able, or interested, in trading for both. Way, way, way too expensive. Plus, most teams have rotations that are intact but need a locomotive at the top. That’s why Skubal’s presence is so dramatic compared with past trade deadlines. But it also means something that, to me, has been consistently overlooked: Mize’s status once Skubal has been dealt. MLB scouts and front offices know how well he has been pitching. Only because of Skubal has Mize missed being this shopping season’s top prize. As for the 40-man, yes, you make a terrific point that others have shared: There’s going to be some clearance. You saw one move this week with Rogers. Vierling, as we have said, is almost a sure goner. You’ll see some significant juggling as part and product of this weekend’s wheeling and dealing.
Q — Mize and Philly are under the radar for the moment. But one way or another the Phillies are going to act.
Chris
A — Chris: I agree. Dave Dombrowski has never met a trade deadline he didn’t like — not when there was a player available he believed would be a game-changer. That’s often a starting pitcher. And I keep saying: Mize to the Phillies is a strong possibility. I also believe, again, that Mize will become everyone’s focus once Skubal is gone. Any team intent on adding upper-echelon starting pitching has to be aware of how Mize has been throwing the past eight weeks-plus.
Thanks to all for the usual stream of excellent questions and observations. It’s been quite a month. A very big 72 hours is ahead.
Email: lhenning@tigersintelligencereport.com