Thursday marked the deadline for the exchange of salary figures between Major League Baseball teams and their arbitration-eligible players, creating intriguing dynamics between teams and players. Among these, the Detroit Tigers found themselves in a notable situation with their former No. 1 overall pick, Casey Mize.
Mize’s agency put forth a salary request of $840,000, while the Tigers reportedly sought to compensate him $815,000 for the upcoming season—just $75,000 above the league minimum. Typically, when figures are this close, negotiations ensue to find common ground before the arbitration process. Avoiding such a process prevents the awkward scenario of the team undermining the player’s value directly to their face, potentially impacting future contract discussions.
At present, the Tigers and Mize’s representatives appear to be in a deadlock over a $25,000 difference. While this might seem significant to many, given the Tigers’ valuation of $1.45 billion, it’s a financial dispute akin to an average person quibbling over a sum as trivial as $25, or even less.
Casey Mize, the top draft pick from Auburn in 2018, swiftly ascended to the majors in 2020, securing a spot in the rotation in 2021. Across 30 starts, he posted a 7-9 record with a commendable 3.71 ERA (114 ERA+), 1.14 WHIP, and 118 strikeouts over 150 1/3 innings, accumulating a noteworthy 3.3 WAR—a testament to his quality performance as a mid-rotation starter.
However, a significant factor in the negotiation is Mize’s setback due to Tommy John surgery after just two starts in 2022, sidelining him for the entirety of 2023. The Tigers could argue that Mize contributed nothing in 2023 while earning $714,200. Conversely, Mize’s representatives may highlight his impressive performance in 2021, surpassing the $574,100 he earned, and his anticipated return to full-time action this season.
While the impasse centers around a relatively small sum, both parties have the opportunity to reach a resolution before resorting to arbitration. Common sense suggests that they would opt for an agreement rather than engaging in a dispute over what could be considered trivial in the grand scheme of things.