John Brebbia Signs with Rockies in Bid to Revive Career
John Brebbia is hoping to write one more chapter in a career that once had him pegged as one of the more reliable bullpen arms in the National League. The former Cardinals and Giants reliever has signed a minor-league deal with the Colorado Rockies - a move that feels like both a fresh opportunity and a steep uphill climb.
Brebbia, now 35, is no stranger to adversity. From 2017 to 2019, he was a fan favorite in St.
Louis, known for his quirky personality, signature beard, and, most importantly, his consistency on the mound. Over those three seasons, he posted a 3.14 ERA across 175 innings - a rock-solid stretch that made him a key piece in the Cardinals’ bullpen.
But baseball doesn’t always follow the script. Tommy John surgery in 2020, combined with the chaos of the pandemic-shortened season, derailed his momentum.
The Cardinals made the tough call to non-tender him, a decision that sparked debate at the time. Brebbia then landed in San Francisco, where he showed flashes of his old self.
From 2021 to 2023, he logged 134 appearances with the Giants, putting up a 3.83 ERA and proving he still had something left in the tank.
Then came 2024 - and things started to unravel. Brebbia joined the Chicago White Sox, a team in the midst of its own struggles, and his numbers reflected the chaos.
He put up a 6.29 ERA in the first half of the season, and while there were whispers of a potential return to St. Louis at the trade deadline, nothing materialized.
He did, however, finish that season with a brief stint in Atlanta, where he looked more like his old self. That glimmer of hope led to a deal with the Detroit Tigers in 2025, but the struggles returned. After another short reunion with the Braves, Brebbia closed out the year with a 7.71 ERA - a tough stat line for a veteran trying to stick in the league.
Now, the Rockies are giving him a shot. It’s a minor-league deal, but it’s a lifeline - and one that comes with serious challenges.
Coors Field is notoriously brutal for pitchers, especially those who’ve had issues with the long ball. Brebbia has surrendered 16 home runs in under 80 innings over the past two seasons, and pitching at altitude isn’t going to help that cause.
Still, this is the kind of move that can quietly pay off. Brebbia was effective not that long ago, and if he can find a groove again - even in the hitter-friendly confines of Colorado - he could become a valuable depth piece for a Rockies bullpen that’s been searching for stability.
It’s a long road back, but Brebbia’s been here before. He’s reinvented himself once already. Now, he’s hoping for one more shot to prove he belongs.