Giants predicted to part ways with former Yankees reliever who's an impending free agent

The San Francisco Giants are far out of postseason contention. 

They may be the biggest disappointment of the 2026 Major League Baseball season. 

In manager Tony Vitello's first season with the NL West club, the Giants were sellers at the trade deadline despite holding on to Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, and Matt Chapman. 

San Francisco has a few players who could have been traded but were not. More often than not, impending free agents are the top candidates. 

But whether the Giants offered those free agents to be in deals at the deadline remains a glaring question. 

Giants predicted to part ways with former Yankees reliever

"The Giants traded [Robbie] Ray and [Luis] Arraez because they were on expiring contracts, so it was a bit surprising that they held on to JT Brubaker, another veteran who is set to hit free agency after the season," FanSided's Zachary Rotman wrote. "They wouldn't have gotten much for Brubaker, but he's pitched well enough (3.59 ERA in 39 appearances, 57.2 IP) that they would've been able to get something, right?" 

Brubaker does not post massive strikeout numbers, but he's kept the ball in the yard and has a solid 41.5% groundball rate.

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Surely there are at least a few contending clubs who could have used an arm like his. 

"Holding on to Brubaker does not mean he'll be back next season, though — again, due to his contract status. With the right-hander having the ability to sign with any of the other 29 teams, it's more likely than not that he'll be gone," Rotman added. "If he were to be open to staying put, though, it'd make sense for the Giants to consider, given the state of their bullpen." 

The Giants could re-sign Brubaker for the 2027 season, but it won't be a major loss if he winds up elsewhere. 

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