The Yankees announced today that right-hander JT Brubaker has been released. The Yanks had designated him for assignment earlier this week. He has over five years of big league service time, meaning he could have rejected an outright assignment while keeping his $1.82MM salary intact. The Yanks have skipped that formality and sent him to the open market.
The Yanks will remain on the hook for the remainder of that salary. Another club could sign Brubaker and would only have to pay him the prorated version of the $760K league minimum salary. Anything paid by another club would be subtracted from the Yankees’ commitments.
Brubaker, 31, is a few years removed from his best big league work. From 2020 to 2022, he tossed 315 1/3 innings for the Pirates, primarily as a starter. In that time, he had a 4.99 earned run average, though he probably deserved better. His 23.3% strikeout rate, 7.8% walk rate and 44% ground ball rate were all around league average. His .313 batting average on balls in play and 16.3% home run to fly ball rate were both on the unfortunate side. His 4.43 FIP and 4.04 SIERA suggested he could have been better than his ERA indicated.
In April of 2023, he required Tommy John surgery, wiping out that entire season. The Yanks took a chance on him, acquiring him from the Pirates around Opening Day of 2024. They sent Keiner Delgado as the player to be named later, getting Brubaker and international bonus pool space. The Yanks were likely hoping for some contributions in the second half of that year but Brubaker suffered an oblique strain while rehabbing in July and didn’t pitch for them that year.
The Yanks tendered him a contract for 2025 but the injury bug was again a problem. During a spring training contest, Brubaker was hit by a comebacker and fractured three ribs. He came off the IL in mid-June and was used in a long relief role. He tossed 16 innings over 12 appearances for the Yankees with a 3.38 ERA. His 44.2% ground ball rate was still decent but his 15.9% strikeout rate and 14.3% walk rate were not great.
The past few years have obviously been a struggle but Brubaker has been a good major league pitcher in the past and is essentially free now that he’s been released. He should be receiving a few calls in the coming days.
Photo courtesy of Brad Penner, Imagn Images
Honestly, he’s worth picking up. He doesn’t have terrible numbers and he won’t cost but the minimum.
The ERA might not be terrible, but the deeper dive says nothing to see here. If you need AAA depth, sure, but he isn’t helping a major league team with those K/BB rates.
Probably helps a team with needing to finish up the season like Twins and Braves.
Twins didn’t want to pay the 600K$ he is still owed, you think they’ll want to pay the 250K$ he’ll get on a pro rated league min deal? Why not just give those innings to internal players who are under team control next year?
Atlanta.
Boston RedSox.
@acoss
agreed, may need to pitch with some body armor though. few broken ribs from a comebacker, ouch!
He certainly is worth being picked up. I really have no idea why he was released in the first place? Obviously it was a big mistake.
They needed the roster spot post-trade deadline. It was necessary.
Who is next man up in the Yankee rotation in case someone gets hurt? Winans??? Yikes! Hopefully Yarbrough will be ready soon.
Start loosening your arm.
Yarbrough was great for the Dodgers when we needed him. He was fascinating to watch, as he just did soft toss and kept hitters off balance.
Was bummed to see him go, but he earned his WS ring.
Reunite with the Pirates.
I get no one wanted to pay his salary but he’d probably be a top 3 reliever on the Nats, Twins, or Rockies. Nats are just bleeding runs from their pen.
Release Deven
Maybe the Yankes should have picked up some starting pitchinf depth at the deadline. This is looking a little dicey depth wise.
Cashman knew what he was doing when he decided to trade for three second-division relievers at the deadline and then sign Kenta Maeda to be the dark horse rotation savior for the Bombers!
Tigers can use his help. I doubt Rafael Montero is going to pan out.
Braves go get him
Off yo greener pastures im sure
Breslow, are you awake?
Nate Pearson is in the Cubs ‘pen now. He’s better than Pearson.
Yankess need to release Boone asap
The Springfield ‘Stache is back on the market, ladies.
DBacks should pick up Brubacker. Their bullpen couldn’t become worse with his addition.
He makes a tasty beer bread.
Bring him home, Cleveland
Now that he’s a free agent, he’s essentially a no-cost option for teams needing depth. His past performance and experience make him a worthwhile gamble. Teams like the Cincinnati reds, Rockies, Twins, Pirates, Tigers, Padres could offer him a deal.
Don’t get this one at all. High BB per nine aside, he’s been decent in long relief. Brubaker may have actually been a better 5th starter option instead of rushing Cam, who’s clearly not ready yet.