Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Casey Mize

Casey Mize is an interesting name entering free agency this offseason. The former No. 1 overall pick has had an up-and-down major league career, dealing with injuries while trying to establish himself as a consistent starting pitcher. However, after putting together an All-Star season in 2025, Mize showed what he is capable of during the first half of 2026 with the Detroit Tigers.

Mize posted a 2.70 ERA and a 0.992 WHIP across 16 starts with Detroit before being traded to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline. Unfortunately, his time in San Diego went much differently, as he struggled in several aspects of the game and posted a 7.46 ERA over 10 starts. Despite the difficult finish, his performance in Detroit gives teams reason to believe there is still plenty of value in his arm.

At 29 years old, Mize is entering free agency for the first time in his career and could be an appealing option for teams looking to improve their starting rotation heading into the 2027 season. While he may not be the biggest name on the free-agent market, his age and experience as a former All-Star could make him an attractive option for teams looking for a reliable starter with some upside.

His first-half performance in Detroit showed that he can still be an effective piece of a major league rotation, and teams may be willing to bet on that version of Casey Mize heading into 2027.

Free Agent Profile: Casey Mize

• Age in 2027: 30
• 2026 Stats: 26 GS, 131.1 IP, 4.32 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 4.14 FIP, 2.89 SO/BB
• Qualifying Offer Eligible: No

Contract Projection

• Contract Length Expectation: 1-3 years
• Expected AAV: $12-18 million

Mize’s 2026 numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page, but there are some encouraging signs beneath the surface. He finished the season with a 6.9% walk rate, ranking in the 76th percentile, while his expected ERA of 3.87 was better than his actual 4.32 mark. These numbers suggest there is still room for improvement, especially if he can find more consistency from start to start.

The biggest concern for teams will likely be his inability to generate swings and misses. Mize recorded a 20% strikeout rate and a 23.2% whiff rate in 2026, both below average. His fastball velocity also averaged 93.3 mph, leaving him with less room for error when he isn’t locating his pitches.

Given his age, previous success, and potential to be a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter, Mize should have a decent market. However, his recent inconsistency and injury history could make teams hesitant to offer a long-term deal. A contract in the one-to-three-year range would give a team a chance to add an experienced starter without making a major long-term commitment.

Free Agent Landing Spots for Casey Mize

Atlanta Braves

After missing the postseason in 2025, the Atlanta Braves bounced back with a 94-68 record in 2026, winning the NL East and returning to the playoffs. However, their season ended in the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With a division title behind them, Atlanta will look to make another postseason run in 2027, and improving its starting rotation could be an important part of that effort.

Chris Sale is still the clear leader of the rotation after posting a 2.16 ERA across 162.2 innings in 2026. However, he will turn 38 at the beginning of the 2027 season, and although he has aged well, the Braves may want to manage his workload.

Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach are also coming off elbow injuries, making it difficult to know exactly what Atlanta can expect from them next season.

Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder are expected to have important roles, but adding Mize would give Atlanta another option with more major league experience. Rather than relying entirely on younger pitchers to fill out the rotation, the Braves could bring in a former All-Star who has already shown he can handle a full season as a starter.

Mize could have an opportunity to compete for a spot near the top of Atlanta’s rotation, especially with questions surrounding Strider and Schwellenbach. His time in Detroit showed the kind of impact he can have when pitching well, and adding that type of production could help the Braves maintain a competitive rotation as they look to make another postseason run.

Atlanta also has some openings to address, with Tyler Mahle and Martín Pérez both entering free agency. Mahle was effective during his time with Atlanta, and the departures of both pitchers could create additional opportunities for the Braves to add to their rotation.

After returning to the postseason in 2026, the Braves will be looking to put themselves in a position to make a deeper run next season. Adding Mize could help address some of the uncertainty in Atlanta’s rotation while giving the Braves another option as they look to build on their success in 2026.

San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants have plenty of work to do this offseason after finishing 65-97 and missing the postseason for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons. Despite the disappointing year, president of baseball operations Buster Posey believes the team has the pieces to compete in 2027. Improving the pitching staff will likely be one of the biggest priorities as San Francisco looks to turn things around.

Logan Webb has been one of the Giants’ most dependable starters for several years, but he is coming off a down season after posting a 4.31 ERA across 160.2 innings in 2026. Landen Roupp has also proved to be an important part of the rotation after making 29 starts.

The Giants finished with a 4.33 team ERA, ranking 23rd in the majors and showing just how much improvement is needed from their pitching staff.

Carson Whisenhunt and Trevor McDonald are among the pitchers facing injury-related uncertainty heading into 2027. Whisenhunt is expected to miss time, while McDonald could be out until later in the season. Their absences could leave San Francisco looking outside the organization for additional starting pitchers.

Mize could be an appealing option for a Giants team that needs more established starting pitching. With several younger arms still trying to establish themselves, bringing in someone with major league experience could help take some of the pressure off the organization’s pitching depth.

Unlike some other potential landing spots, San Francisco does not have a major starting pitcher departure to replace in free agency. Instead, adding Mize would be about improving the overall quality of a pitching staff that struggled throughout the 2026 season.

The Giants believe they have the pieces to compete again in 2027, but they will need to make some improvements to get back into the postseason picture. If Mize can build on what he showed during the first half of 2026, he could help San Francisco take a step toward becoming a more competitive team.

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals took a step forward in 2026, finishing with a 77-85 record and winning 11 more games than they did the previous season. While they still have work to do before becoming a playoff contender, the team has started to put together a young core that could help them compete in the coming years.

Adding more experience to the starting rotation could be an important part of taking that next step.

Cade Cavalli emerged as Washington’s ace after posting a 3.02 ERA across 169.2 innings in 2026. Connelly Early and Andrew Alvarez also had encouraging seasons, giving the Nationals three young starters they can feel good about moving forward.

Cavalli’s season was especially important, as the team signed him to a four-year extension. However, there are still questions about the rest of the rotation.

Jake Irvin struggled with a 5.48 ERA, while Josiah Gray and DJ Herz are working their way back from injuries. Miles Mikolas and Zack Littell were also released during the season, leaving Washington with fewer experienced options to fill out its pitching staff.

Mize could give the Nationals an established starter to work alongside Cavalli, Early, and Alvarez. His experience could give Washington another option to turn to while its younger starters continue to develop.

The Nationals also have other pitching needs to address, particularly in the bullpen. Improving the rotation could help take some pressure off the relief staff by giving the team more consistent innings from its starters.

After making progress in 2026, Washington has an opportunity to continue building toward becoming a contender in the NL East. Adding Mize would not solve all of the team’s pitching issues, but it could be another step toward giving the Nationals a more complete staff as they work toward becoming a playoff contender.

Detroit Tigers

After reaching the postseason in each of the previous two seasons, the Detroit Tigers took a step back in 2026, finishing with a 76-86 record and missing the playoffs. Detroit will look to get back into contention next season, and a reunion with Casey Mize could give the Tigers another familiar option in their starting rotation.

With Tarik Skubal traded to the Dodgers at the deadline, Detroit will enter 2027 without the ace who led its rotation over the past several seasons. Although Skubal has expressed interest in returning, the massive contract he is expected to command in free agency could make it difficult for the Tigers to bring him back.

Troy Melton could be in line to take on a much bigger role after an impressive 2026 season and potentially emerge as Detroit’s next ace. Framber Valdez will also be an important part of the rotation, but the Tigers have dealt with recurring injuries among their starting pitchers. Bringing Mize back could give Detroit another option if injuries become an issue again next season.

Jack Flaherty’s departure in free agency also leaves Detroit with a spot to address in its rotation. Keider Montero is coming off a strong season, while Jackson Jobe and River Ryan could both be in line for their first full seasons in the majors. Bringing Mize back could help take some pressure off those younger pitchers as they adjust to larger workloads.

Mize was having one of the best stretches of his career before being traded, posting a 2.70 ERA and a 0.992 WHIP across 16 starts with Detroit. He also recorded 85 strikeouts against just 19 walks, showing his ability to limit baserunners while giving the Tigers quality starts.

Mize’s familiarity with the organization could also make Detroit an appealing landing spot. He spent the first several seasons of his career with the Tigers, and both sides are already familiar with one another. A reunion could give them an opportunity to build on what worked during his time in Detroit.

With Skubal unlikely to return and Flaherty entering free agency, Detroit has some decisions to make with its starting rotation. Bringing Mize back could be a worthwhile move for the Tigers as they look to build on their young rotation and return to the postseason in 2027.

Athletics

The Athletics got off to an encouraging start in 2026, reaching a 39-42 record through their first 81 games and remaining within reach of the AL West lead. However, injuries and struggles from the pitching staff contributed to a difficult second half, and the A’s finished with a 64-98 record.

Their pitching staff finished with a 5.51 ERA, ranking 29th in the majors. Adding Casey Mize could give the A’s another option as they look to improve their starting rotation.

The A’s have some decisions to make with their rotation this offseason. Luis Severino is returning after exercising his player option, but Jeffrey Springs is entering free agency after the team declined his club option.

Springs’ departure leaves another spot to address, especially for a team that struggled to get consistent production from its starters in 2026.

There are some promising young arms in the organization, including J.T. Ginn, Jacob Lopez, and Gage Jump. However, the A’s still need more proven starting pitching to help take pressure off those younger options.

Mize could be a good fit in that role, giving the team a starter with several seasons of major league experience who still has room to build on his recent success.

With questions surrounding the health and consistency of several current options, Mize could have an opportunity to earn a significant role in the rotation. He would have a chance to compete for a spot near the top of the staff rather than simply serve as an additional depth piece.

Financially, the A’s have room to make additions, although it remains to be seen how aggressively they will spend this offseason. Mize’s projected contract would be a meaningful investment for the organization, but it would not require a lengthy commitment.

That could make him an appealing option for a team looking to improve without taking on a major long-term contract.

The A’s still have plenty of work to do before they can seriously compete in the AL West, but improving their starting rotation is an important place to start. Mize would not solve all of their pitching issues, but he could give the A’s a much-needed addition as they look to become more competitive in 2027.