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Detroit Tigers Avoid Arbitration with Young Pitcher, Set Up Unique Contract Structure
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Detroit Tigers Avoid Arbitration with Young Pitcher, Set Up Unique Contract Structure

Originally posted on FanNation Fastball  |  By Brady Farkas  |  Last updated 1/20/24

The Detroit Tigers have avoided arbitration with right-handed pitcher Casey Mize by coming to agreement on a unique contract structure for 2024.

Per Ken Rosenthal of 'The Athletic:'

Tigers, Casey Mize in agreement on one-year, $840,000 contract plus $3.1M club option for 2025, source tells @TheAthletic.

Mize asked for $840K in arbitration. Tigers offered $815K. Tigers are a “file-and-trial” team, meaning they go straight to a hearing once figures are exchanged unless a multi-year agreement is reached. This deal qualifies.

Clarification: As @Feinsand noted, 2024 salary will be $830K. Guarantee of $840K includes $10K buyout if Tigers do not exercise option.

Mize is under contract with the Tigers through 2026 regardless, so the contract structure is kind of just a matter of money more than anything.

As I understand it, if Mize pitches well in 2024, the Tigers can give him the $3.1 million deal for 2025, which would be a significant bump for him and could potentially save the team money if the arbitration number he would be due would be higher.

If the team doesn't want to exercise the $3.1 million option, they can decline, give him the buyout and then exchange new arbitration figures next year. He's also slated to go through arbitration in 2026.

Picked first overall out of Auburn in the 2018 draft, Mize made his debut in 2020. He's 7-13 in his young career with a 4.29 ERA but showed real promise in 2021 when he pitched to a 3.71 ERA in 30 starts.

He got hurt at the beginning of 2022.

The Tigers finished second in the American League Central in 2023 and are looking to contend for their first playoff spot since 2014.

In addition to Mize's return, the team has signed Jack Flaherty and Kenta Maeda and traded for Mark Canha this offseason.

This article first appeared on FanNation Fastball and was syndicated with permission.

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