The Milwaukee Brewers continued their offseason roster reshaping this week by signing two pitchers to free-agent contracts, adding depth and competition to both the bullpen and rotation mix as the club prepares for the 2026 campaign. The moves signal the organization’s ongoing effort to balance veteran presence with upside arms while managing payroll and roster flexibility.
Milwaukee’s willingness to bring in new pitching talent, even beyond its core rotation of Freddy Peralta, Aaron Ashby, Trevor Megill, Jacob Misiorowski and Brandon Woodruff, reflects an offseason process that has already seen a mix of departures, acquisitions and internal adjustments. With the season still months away, these additions aim to improve consistency and options for the Brewers’ pitching staff.
Meet the New Arms in Town
The Brewers announced the signings of right-hander Gerson Garabito and left-hander Drew Rom, both of whom will join the organization under Minor League free-agent contracts, with opportunities to compete for spots during spring training.
Garabito, 30, returns to affiliated baseball after a brief but productive stint overseas. The 6-foot right-hander signed with the Samsung Lions in June and made 15 starts in the KBO, where he was one of the league’s more effective arms down the stretch. Garabito posted a 2.64 ERA while striking out hitters at a 26 percent rate, numbers that suggested he could have remained in Korea for the 2026 season.
Instead, Garabito will use Milwaukee as an opportunity to pitch his way back to the major leagues during spring training. While his MLB resume is limited, he does have experience at the highest level, logging 34 1/3 innings with the Texas Rangers between 2024 and 2025, albeit with a 5.77 ERA.
Rom’s arrival in Milwaukee comes at a transitional point in his career, and coincidentally, just days after his 26th birthday. A former fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles, Rom was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals as part of the Jack Flaherty deadline deal in 2023, a move that initially put him in position to compete for rotation opportunities at the Major League level.
That opportunity, however, proved difficult. Rom made eight starts for St. Louis late in the 2023 season, but struggled significantly, posting an 8.02 ERA. Shoulder surgery the following spring derailed his momentum further, and by the end of the 2024 season, the Cardinals outrighted him off their 40-man roster.
Rom remained with the organization, but endured another injury-plagued year. He opened the season on the injured list while continuing his rehab and returned to Triple-A Memphis in mid-May. After making four starts and allowing nine runs in 14 1/3 innings, Rom was sidelined again, spending the remainder of the season on the injured list. The Brewers now offer a fresh environment and a low-pressure opportunity to rebuild health and effectiveness.
Why These Moves Matter for the Brewers
Milwaukee’s offseason has been far from quiet. Earlier moves included declining mutual options on several veterans, multiple Minor League players departing after Rule 5 Draft (Hedbert Perez, Nate Peterson, Garrett Spain, Zavier Warren, Caden Vire, Hansel Rincon), signing outfielder Akil Baddoo and Greg Jones, and acquiring left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for outfielder Isaac Collins and reliever Nick Mears.
These latest signings reinforce a strategy that mixes veteran leadership with cost-controlled assets and competition for roster spots. In a division where pitching consistency can define playoff pushes, having a deep stable of arms, including unusual but potential breakout candidates like Garabito and Rom, could pay dividends for a Brewers squad looking to build on its 2025 efforts.
Moreover, this approach aligns with the Brewers’ broader offseason philosophy, which has included targeted free-agent acquisitions and prudent financial commitments as part of a balanced roster construction model. By adding multiple arms without overpaying, Milwaukee keeps flexibility while addressing areas of need.
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