We’ve got a big-time buzzer beater at the MLB trade deadline. GM AJ Preller and the San Diego Padres continue to add, bringing in Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize along with infielder Gage Workman. Let’s break down the trade, along with a reaction and updated odds for the Padres.
Mize, 29, is in the midst of a career year for the Tigers. After an All-Star campaign in 2025, the former No. 1 pick has a 2.70 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. With elite command and good strikeout stuff, Mize has turned himself into a strong No. 2 who could lead a staff if he keeps this up. An impending free agent, Mize forms a solid top three in the rotation alongside Michael King and fellow deadline acquisition Robbie Ray. Interestingly, San Diego chose to go for two fly-ball pitchers at this deadline.
Workman, 26, has seldom been used on the Tigers’ infield this year. Through 38 plate appearances, the utility man has a .158/.158/.395 triple slash line. However, it is worth noting that Workman is absolutely torching the ball with no luck; his expected slug percentage, barrel rate, average exit velocity, and sweet-spot percentage are all 90th percentile or better. Perhaps the Padres think there’s more than meets the eye here.
Kash Mayfield, San Diego’s No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is the headline prospect going back to Detroit. Through two seasons at A-ball, the left-hander has a 3.24 ERA through 114 innings with 150 strikeouts. His changeup is the dominant pitch, but his fastball has some good life on it, and his curveball has a ton of movement as well. He’s a ways off from the majors, but he has a very live arm that the Tigers will be ecstatic to develop. If the strikeout stuff translates and he can maintain his command, Mayfield could be a top-of-the-rotation arm for the Tigers by the end of the decade.
Jackson Wolf is the other prospect going to Detroit in this deal. Once a fast mover through San Diego’s system, the West Virginia product debuted at 24 years old during the 2023 season, then fell completely off the map. The season after his debut, Wolf posted a 7.08 ERA with Triple-A El Paso, a 5.04 ERA the year after that, and a 7.05 ERA this year. The 27-year-old is a lottery ticket for the Tigers, who will hope they can turn him around into a decent arm.
Overall, it’s a great deal for the Padres. With all the veterans on their roster, they have no reason not to go for it, and their rotation went from a weakness to a strength in 24 hours. King, Ray, and Mize give them a chance in any series. With a dominant bullpen and some good bats, they’ll be dangerous in the playoffs if they make it, and currently have +120 odds to qualify on DraftKings Sportsbook. Preller has been consistently aggressive, and so far that has worked for the Friars.
For the Tigers, a sell felt inevitable with a disappointing year lining up with walk years for Mize and Tarik Skubal. After trading those two, they’ve significantly beefed up the farm system and will be in a good position to turn things around next season. Prioritizing one excellent prospect in return instead of going for a handful of decent prospects makes a lot of sense for a team that won’t need much work to be back on top of the division next year. It’s bittersweet, but good business nonetheless.
