Mize also 2026 free-agent

[Michael W]

I had thought that Casey Mize was a year behind Tarik Skubal in his contract trajectory, but multiple sources confirm he's going to be a free-agent at the end of 2026, same as Skubal.  Needless to say, Jack Flaherty will also be a free-agent at that time.  

That's going to be interesting...

Michael

[Peter Welch]

The Tigers could be busy on the free agent starting pitcher market after 2026.  

If Skubal, Mize and Flaherty leave then we’ll be relying on Olson, Jobe and Melton to be the top 3 starters after 2026.  The Tigers don’t currently have a top pitching prospect in their system who could be a #1 starter eventually, unless you think Jobe or Melton can become a #1 starter.

I kind of want the Tigers to sign a good starter this offseason so that they have someone to replace Skubal in 2027 as the #1 starter.  I like Brandon Woodruff or Dylan Cease. 

I suppose the Tigers could also sign a good free agent starter after next season assuming they don’t sign Skubal.  I’ll check the list of potential free agent starters in 2027.

Peter

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 19, 2025, at 12:25 PM, Michael W <miw...@gmail.com> wrote:



I had thought that Casey Mize was a year behind Tarik Skubal in his contract trajectory, but multiple sources confirm he's going to be a free-agent at the end of 2026, same as Skubal.  Needless to say, Jack Flaherty will also be a free-agent at that time.  

That's going to be interesting...

Michael

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[Roger King]

I think Flaherty coming back probably blocks the Tigers from signing any top-tier starting pitcher.  And of course assuming there is no Skubal deal.  

Skubal-Mize-Flaherty-Olson-Melton would be a projected rotation already…plus Montero, Gipson-Long & and even Ty Madden still around.  And Jobe coming back eventually (maybe not until late in the season, but he has a rotation spot when he does one would assume). 

I think we’re going to see more of the typical Harris one year deal for a veteran kind of thing… like Cobb or someone like Flaherty when they initially signed him in the 2023 off-season.  Verlander might fit the bill here.  

Plus they’ll probably add a couple of Urquidy type guys coming off injuries etc. I could be wrong but I expect it will be a similar strategy like Harris employed at the trade deadline. Quantity over quality.  

Certainly there will be injuries this season and that’s why the Tigers have already said in the press they are looking for pitching… But I don’t think they want to block any of the initial 5 starters I mentioned above. If you sign a Top Tier guy this off-season, then you’re going to pitch him and someone gets cut from the rotation.

Of course the Tigers could sign someone and then trade one of their younger starters for help in another area but so far Harris hasn’t taken that approach. He seems really reluctant to give up any young talent. 

Given the constant chatter about a possible Skubal deal, it would be funny if the Tigers decided to move Mize instead. Might not be a bad move. They might be able to get some quality in return. He was an All-Star last year after all :-)

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[Peter Welch]

I'm thinking of a post-Skubal future for the rotation which is why I'm suggesting signing a good starter this offseason, so we have somebody ready to replace Skubal at the top of the rotation in 2027 after Skubal leaves, which is likely.   Plus if we have Skubal and a good free agent starter in the rotation in 2026 (such as a Cease, Woodruff or Suarez) it helps our chances to get back to the playoffs and possibly advance further in the playoffs.

If we sign a free agent starter this offseason, Melton can always be used as a reliever next season, or at least as a spot starter.  Plus, we can't count on Olson pitching a full season and Flaherty is a huge question mark.  Jobe will be a non-factor next year.  Montero, SGL, Madden, etc. are just filler.

Here is the current list of potential free agent starters (in alphabetical order) in 2027 in case we don't re-sign Skubal and lose both Mize and Flaherty:

Sandy Alcantara (31) – $21MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Jose Berrios (33) – can opt out of remaining two years, $48MM
Shane Bieber (32)
Matthew Boyd (36) – $15MM mutual option with a $2MM buyout
Kris Bubic (29)
Corbin Burnes (32) – can opt out of remaining four years and $140MM
Carlos Carrasco (40)
Jack Flaherty (31)
Kyle Freeland (34) – $17MM player option for 2027 with 170 innings pitched in 2026
Luis Garcia (30)
Kevin Gausman (36)
Tony Gonsolin (33)
Sonny Gray (37) – $30MM club option with a $5MM buyout
Kyle Hart (34) – club option
Clay Holmes (34) – can opt out of remaining one year, $12MM
Shota Imanaga (33)
Jesus Luzardo (29)
Lance McCullers Jr. (33)
Casey Mize (30)
Frankie Montas (34)
Freddy Peralta (31)
David Peterson (31)
Nick Pivetta (34) – $14MM player option barring injury
Drew Rasmussen (31) – $8MM club option with a $500K buyout
Colin Rea (36) – $7.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Trevor Rogers (29)
Chris Sale (38)
Patrick Sandoval (29)
Antonio Senzatela (32) – $14MM club option
Luis Severino (33) – $22MM player option
Brady Singer (30)
Tarik Skubal (30)
Jeffrey Springs (34) – $15MM club option with a $750K buyout
Jameson Taillon (35)
Taijuan Walker (34)
Trevor Williams (35)
Brandon Woodruff (33)
Kyle Wright (31)

Peter

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From: Roger King <pnag...@pnagency.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 2:17 PM
To: Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com>
Cc: Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Mize also 2026 free-agent

 

[Michael W]

What a mess.

I've got no reason to think McGonigle, Clark or any other prospects will be contributing significantly before 2027.  Maybe Jace Jung might if you are optimistic, but it's super optimistic to predict him as a top 10 player at his position.  Meanwhile, 2027 will be just in time to have lost all our pitching, with not much else in the pipeline.  I can see the Tigers just falling in this crack, where by 2028 we'll have top tier offense but not enough pitching to win.  

If Tork, Mize, and Manning had been top-flight players, we'd be there already.  We're still paying the "It's Al Avila's team" penalty.

Michael

[Peter Welch]

I agree that we can't expect McGonigle to be good right away.  Like many young hitters these days the odds are that he'll struggle as a rookie.

If he doesn't struggle then it will be a pleasant surprise.

Clark and Briceno are very unlikely to be contributors in 2026.  Their ETA is more likely 2027-2028.  

I think Jung is toast.  No bat speed. Avila blew it by not drafting Zach Neto over Jung when he had the chance.

Max Anderson (or maybe Hao-Yu Lee) might take over the Ibanez role as lefty masher at 3B/DH.

Peter

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Sent: Friday, November 21, 2025 4:25 PM
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