The baseball world woke up to find the Dodgers, unsurprisingly, acquired Tarik Skubal from the Tigers for three top prospects. It's the domino that everyone, including the Braves, needed to fall to get things moving. However, it's hard to once again see a team with unlimited resources continue to get whatever it wants.
Fans will likely be upset that the Braves didn't do whatever it took to match or one-up the Dodgers' offer. That's a fair reaction to have, but it also could have been a massive mistake for Atlanta to give up their best prospects for a two-month rental.
Skubal is a game-changer, but there's zero percent chance he would have signed with the Braves in the offseason. The cost is going to be through the roof, and there are only a handful of teams that can pay for a massive contract. This means the Braves had to pivot and find another pitcher in a trade. Luckily for them, the Tigers have another pitcher who would be a perfect fit. His name is Casey Mize.
Tigers pitcher Casey Mize is the perfect trade deadline pivot for the Atlanta Braves
Mize is a former number one overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. The beginning of his career was tough due to injuries, but he eventually got things back on track. He is a much more affordable option for the Braves, as he's owed just $6.15 million this season.
The former Auburn standout has a 2.70 ERA, 19 walks, 85 strikeouts, and a 0.99 WHIP over 86.2 innings this season. That will work just fine in Atlanta's rotation. Those walk numbers are absolutely elite, with a 5.6% rate. On top of that, he has great whiff, strikeout, barrel, and hard-hit rates. Mize also has excellent extension, and his xERA of 3.07 isn't too shabby either.
Casey Mize has TEN strikeouts on the night 😤
— MLB (@MLB) June 30, 2026
He's thrown 7 shutout innings against the Yankees! pic.twitter.com/ro1wigm8NA
The right-hander has dealt with a groin issue early in the season, but has stayed healthy since returning. That could be a deterrent for the Braves, as they've lost enough pitchers to injury this year. However, Mize wouldn't (or at least shouldn't) cost them too much, and he's a pitcher they could easily extend before he hits the free agent market next year.
Mize may not be the big splash that everyone wanted, but he would address a very important need with resources left to improve the bullpen or add a second starter. Pivoting to him could also allow the Braves to add more arms, assuming that the market allows for that to happen.
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