LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Tigers added to their relief depth on Wednesday by signing veteran right-hander and former division rival John Brebbia to a one-year, $2.75 million contract.
Brebbia’s contract will pay him a $2.25 million base salary for 2025 with a $4 million club option or $500,000 buyout for '26. The deal includes $250,000 incentives each year for 50, 55, 60 and 65 games pitched and 40, 45, 50 and 55 games finished. The club option for '26 can escalate by $1 million for 45 and 50 games pitched, $500,000 for 65 games pitched and $2 million for 55 games finished.
The 34-year-old Brebbia has been a bullpen cog for four teams over his seven-year Major League career, including last year with the White Sox and Braves. He posted an 0-6 record with two saves and a 5.86 ERA in 59 games between Chicago and Atlanta, but with 67 strikeouts over 55 1/3 innings.
He was much more effective in shorter doses, with a .245 average and .757 OPS allowed within his first 25 pitches of an outing. His combination of four-seam fastball and slider produced a 32 percent chase rate, ranked in the 85th percentile among MLB pitchers, and a 27.7 percent strikeout rate that ranked in the 81st percentile. His fastball was particularly effective despite averaging just 93.8 mph according to Statcast.
The White Sox released Brebbia at the end of August to allow him to try to find a role with a contender. He was much more effective in Atlanta, allowing two runs on four hits over 6 2/3 innings with two walks and nine strikeouts in five September outings.
Brebbia started his big league career with three seasons for the Cardinals. After missing the 2020 season, he signed with the Giants under then-general manager Scott Harris. Brebbia led National League relievers with 76 appearances in 2022, recording a 3.18 ERA over 68 innings.
Brebbia joins a Tigers bullpen that leveraged “pitching chaos” into a postseason berth and playoff run last year behind versatile, multi-inning relievers. All of the key pitchers from that group return, and the Tigers signed veteran Tommy Kahnle for experience two weeks ago.
To make room for Brebbia on the 40-man roster, the Tigers placed former closer Alex Lange on the 60-day injured list with a right lat strain. Lange pitched in 21 games for Detroit last year before being optioned to Triple-A Toledo to work on command, then suffering a tear in mid-June that led to season-ending surgery. He has been throwing bullpen sessions in camp, but the Tigers want to proceed cautiously with his rehab to temper the risk of re-injury.