The San Diego Padres completed one of the boldest pitching upgrades of Monday’s MLB trade deadline, acquiring right-hander Casey Mize and utility player Gage Workman from the Detroit Tigers. San Diego sent left-handers Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf to Detroit, sacrificing its No. 2 prospect for an immediate rotation upgrade.
Mize gives the Padres another legitimate postseason starter after they also acquired Robbie Ray from the San Francisco Giants. The 29-year-old owns a 2.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 85 strikeouts, and 19 walks across 86 2/3 innings this season. His 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings and 4.47 strikeout-to-walk ratio represent career highs. He also made two postseason appearances in 2025, allowing two runs across six combined innings.
The former No. 1 overall pick has finally translated his pedigree into consistent major league production. Mize earned his first All-Star selection in 2025, then improved again this season by sharpening his splitter, expanding his breaking-ball mix, and generating more strikeouts without sacrificing command. He will become a free agent after the season and is earning $6.15 million in 2026.
San Diego Padres grade: A+
The Padres entered deadline week with a rotation in urgent need of both quality and stability. It emerged with Mize and Ray joining Michael King and Walker Buehler, while Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta work toward returns from elbow injuries. That gives the Padres substantially more flexibility for the stretch run and a potential deep postseason run.
Mize carries some health risk after two injured-list stints related to a lingering groin issue. His fastball velocity was lower than usual during his final start with Detroit, but he still limited the Kansas City Royals to one run over six innings while pitching effectively through the issue. His overall production, improved strikeout profile, and manageable remaining salary still justify the Padres’ aggressive approach.
Mayfield represents a significant price. The 2024 first-round pick has posted a 3.54 ERA with 62 strikeouts across 53 1/3 innings at High-A Fort Wayne. His changeup could become a legitimate major league weapon, and evaluators project him as a potential mid-rotation starter. Still, prospects carry inherent uncertainty, while Mize immediately addresses San Diego’s greatest weakness.
Workman adds a left-handed bat, defensive versatility, speed, and Triple-A production. He may not become a major contributor, but his ability to cover multiple positions strengthens the bench.
Detroit Tigers grade: B
The Tigers secured a credible return for a rental starter rather than settling for a compensatory draft pick. Mayfield immediately becomes one of the organization’s better pitching prospects and adds upside to a system that needed more young arms. Wolf profiles primarily as upper-level depth after posting a 7.05 ERA in Triple-A.
The Tigers deserve credit for extracting a premium prospect despite Mize’s injury history and pending free agency. However, trading Mize shortly after sending Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers ends the rotation partnership that once appeared capable of anchoring the club’s rotation for years to come.
Detroit is coming off back-to-back postseason appearances in 2024 and 2025, so the current situation is not another early-stage rebuild. The concern is whether the organization can turn consecutive playoff berths into sustained contention. Mayfield could eventually help answer that question, but he remains years away from the majors. San Diego acquired the immediate difference-maker, while Detroit accepted another long-term return.
The San Diego Padres completed one of the boldest pitching upgrades of Monday’s MLB trade deadline, acquiring right-hander Casey Mize and utility player Gage Workman from the Detroit Tigers. San Diego sent left-handers Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf to Detroit, sacrificing its No. 2 prospect for an immediate rotation upgrade.