The Detroit Tigers are enjoying a strong season, entering Tuesday with the best record in Major League Baseball. They’ve made smart moves to assemble a competitive team and could be aiming to strengthen even further during the upcoming offseason.
This success is a welcome shift for a franchise that ended a playoff drought last year—their first postseason appearance since 2014—and came just one win shy of reaching the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2013. Still, not every decision has worked out as hoped.
One such move was bringing in a veteran to an already strong bullpen. That addition, however, appears to be short-lived, as his underwhelming performance suggests the Tigers may easily part ways after this season.
John Brebbia’s Role with Tigers Uncertain After 2025
The Tigers signed John Brebbia late in the offseason to a one-year contract. The right-hander, who had some of his best seasons with the San Francisco Giants—including a 3.47 ERA over 106.1 innings between 2022 and 2023—had struggled with the White Sox, recording a 6.29 ERA across 54 appearances before being designated for assignment last August. He finished the year with the Braves, where he performed well in limited action.
That strong finish convinced Detroit to take a chance on him, offering a $2.25 million deal for 2025 with a $4 million club option for 2026. However, given his current form, the Tigers likely won’t need to worry about the option or any performance bonuses.
Brebbia has posted a 5.19 ERA in 17 appearances so far this season. More concerning than the ERA is his declining strikeout ability. After averaging a 27.7% strikeout rate last year, he’s down to 22% this season, per Baseball Savant. His chase rate has also dropped significantly, from 32% to 22.8%.
While a triceps strain may have affected his performance, Brebbia has struggled since returning from the injured list, giving up a 9.72 ERA in his last nine outings. His likely departure would open up a spot in Detroit’s bullpen, possibly prompting a move at the trade deadline to address the gap.
