Life has been good to the Detroit Tigers this season. Entering Tuesday with the best record in Major League Baseball, the Tigers have pulled all the right strings to build a contender and could be looking to take another step when they enter the upcoming offseason.
It’s a great development for a team that made the playoffs for the first time since 2014 last year and came within a game of their first American League Championship Series since 2013. But while a lot of things have gone right, there are some questionable decisions that have been made.
One decision was to add a veteran to a bullpen that has been one of the best in baseball. But it’s becoming clear that his time in Detroit should be a one-year detour as his performance is making it easy to say goodbye.
John Brebbia’s Future with Tigers on Thin Ice Beyond 2025 Season
The Tigers made a late addition to their bullpen when they signed John Brebbia to a one-year deal last February. An eight-year veteran, Brebbia had his best seasons with the San Francisco Giants, posting his best seasons with a 3.47 ERA in 106.1 innings (116 games) between 2022 and 2023. But Brebbia struggled after signing with the Chicago White Sox, posting a 6.29 ERA in 54 appearances last season before being designated for assignment last August.
Brebbia landed with the Braves to close out last season and pitched well, allowing a pair of earned runs with nine strikeouts and two walks over 6.2 innings. The final stretch was encouraging enough to convince the Tigers to sign him to a one-year, $2.25 million contract for this season with a $4 million club option for 2026.
While there are escalators for both seasons, it’s looking more like the Tigers won’t have to worry about them. Brebbia’s performance has been disappointing with a 5.19 ERA in 17 games for Detroit this season but the biggest concern has been his ability to miss bats.
A right-hander with a career 25.7% strikeout rate and a 27.7% rate last season, Brebbia has punched out just 22% of hitters this season according to Baseball Savant. His chase rate has also been a problem as it dropped from 32% last season to 22.8% this year.
Although a right triceps strain may have hindered his performance, it’s looking more like Brebbia won’t be back for a second season in Detroit after posting a 9.72 ERA in his last nine appearances since returning from the injured list. It leaves an open spot in next year’s bullpen and could represent an area of need as the Tigers approach the trade deadline.