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Cubs rumors: The Tigers pitcher not named Tarik Skubal Chicago could trade for
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- Cubs rumors: The Tigers pitcher not named Tarik Skubal Chicago could trade for
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The MLB trade deadline is nearing (August 3), and rumors are running rampant around the league. With the Chicago Cubs in the mix in the NL Central, the front office could be seeking another deal to address the starting rotation. The latest buzz in the rumor mill linked the team to the Detroit Tigers as a potential trade partner, but it's not because of Tarik Skubal .
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In Jeff Passan's latest column for ESPN, the popular insider claimed that the best match for Chicago would be Casey Mize . Passan believes that the 29-year-old right-hander would immediately become the No. 1 option for the Cubs and better their chances in the second half of the campaign. He also named Sonny Gray as a possible trade option for the club.
"Even if all of the Cubs' options return healthy, there isn't an ace among them," Passan wrote. "And while Mize and Gray, even at their best, are more like No. 2s, they are cut from the same high-strikeout, low-walk, limited-homer cloth and feature ERAs a point-and-a-half lower than any of the Cubs' regular rotation players. Mize's availability depends on the Tigers' viability. If they keep winning and believe they're legitimate playoff contenders, he could stay."
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One key reason why Passan likes Mize potentially going to the Cubs over Gray is due to Gray's financial situation with the Boston Red Sox . He carries a much larger salary ($10 million) plus would need a $10 million buyout. Additionally, Gray has a no-trade protection and could turn down a deal if he chooses to.
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Casey Mize is in the middle of a solid campaign with the Tigers. The six-year veteran is having what might be the best season of his career and would be a great addition to the Cubs' rotation. Through 71.2 innings pitched so far this year, Mize owns a 2.64 ERA (career-best) and 0.977 WHIP (career-best) while totaling 72 strikeouts.
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