​The Chicago Cubs are nearing the 2026 MLB trade deadline with a single, clear priority at the top of their wish-list: pitching. Whether they need bullpen help or an upgrade in the rotation, adding arms on either front would be a smart move for a Cubs team that could benefit from both. Still, some targets stand out more than others.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan linked the Cubs to a Detroit Tigers All-Star pitcher who has a 2.64 ERA this season, but it isn’t Tarik Skubal. The pitcher mentioned is right-hander Casey Mize. “Best match: Casey Mize, RHSP, Detroit Tigers,” Passan writes. “… Mize’s availability depends on the Tigers’ viability. If they keep winning and believe they’re legitimate playoff contenders, he could stay.”
Mize is identified as the Cubs’ best fit at this year’s trade deadline, but there’s a recurring hurdle that many teams face with a Skubal trade: the Tigers might not be willing to sell. They have won some games recently and sit just 4.0 games out of the Wild Card with only a few games remaining before the All-Star break, and they are 5.5 games out of the AL Central lead. While it’s possible the Tigers could pivot to buyers at the deadline as they maximize Skubal’s value in this final season, a sale is also on the table. If they choose to sell, Mize becomes an attractive target for the Cubs.
Their current rotation is unsettled, with Edward Cabrera, Ben Brown, and Jameson Taillon dealing with injuries, and Cade Horton and Justin Steele out for the year. The options behind them—Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, David Peterson, Javier Assad, and Colin Rea—underscore just how much the Cubs need a proven starter to stabilize the group.
Mize, a 29-year-old right-handed All-Star, has posted a 2.64 ERA across 13 starts this season, along with 2.6 bWAR, 72 strikeouts in 71.2 innings, and a 2.73 FIP. His 163 ERA+ is the best mark of his career, highlighting his effectiveness. As a one-year rental, he would be a relatively sensible pursuit for the Cubs this summer. If the focus remains on Skubal, trading for Mize could be more feasible than one might expect, given the Tigers’ possible willingness to listen.
Passan’s take positions Mize as the Cubs’ “best match” at the trade deadline, and there’s sound reasoning behind that assessment. He’s a durable, proven starter who could slot into the rotation without demanding an exorbitant return, making him a compelling target if the Cubs can make it happen. If the Cubs can pull off a deal for Mize, it would be a strong upgrade that aligns with their needs for a stable rotation and a reliable presence at the top of the staff.
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Additional context and related topics you might find interesting include: the Phillies’ Cristopher Sánchez as an NL All-Star starter, a hypothetical Jays-Mets swap involving Freddy Peralta, a trade scenario that would send a top-10 prospect to Detroit for Tarik Skubal, and the Astros’ interest in Skubal as they pursue stronger postseason positioning.