LAKELAND – The Detroit Tigers have inked a deal with right-handed pitcher John Brebbia for the 2025 season, with a club option for 2026. Brebbia will receive a base salary of $2,250,000 for 2025, and if the club option is activated for 2026, he will earn $4,000,000. There is a $500,000 buyout if the option is not exercised. Below is the detailed structure of performance bonuses and escalators in the contract.
Performance bonuses for 2025 and 2026 seasons:
- $250,000 for each 50, 55, 60, and 65 games pitched
- $250,000 for each 40, 45, 50, and 55 games finished
Escalators for 2026 club option based on 2025 performance, capped at $4,000,000:
- $500,000 for 65 games pitched
- $1,000,000 for each 45 and 50 games pitched
- $2,000,000 for 55 games finished
Brebbia, 34, is set to embark on his eighth Major League season, having previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals (2017-19), San Francisco Giants (2021-23), Chicago White Sox (2024), and Atlanta Braves (2024). Throughout his career, Brebbia has accumulated a 15-21 record with four saves, 63 holds, a 3.80 ERA (355.0IP/150ER), and 388 strikeouts in 355.0 innings pitched. He boasts an average of 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings across 354 career appearances, with only 21 of those being starts.
In 2024, Brebbia spent most of the season with the White Sox before joining the Braves for their playoff push on August 31. During September, he made five relief appearances for Atlanta, recording a 2.70 ERA (6.2IP/2ER) with nine strikeouts and just two walks.
Brebbia began his Major League journey with the Cardinals in 2017, delivering a 3.14 ERA (175.0IP/61ER) over 161 relief outings across three seasons with St. Louis. After missing the entire 2020 season and much of 2021 due to Tommy John surgery, he joined the Giants for the 2021-23 seasons. In 2022, Brebbia led the National League with 76 relief appearances, achieving a 6-2 record and a 3.18 ERA (68.0IP/24ER), marking his lowest ERA since his debut season with St. Louis (2.44 ERA, 50 relief outings).
Born in Boston, MA, Brebbia attended Elon University (NC) and was drafted by the Yankees in the 30th round of the 2011 MLB Draft.
