The relief pitching market has come out of the gates fast this offseason, and one name that continues to generate buzz is Pete Fairbanks. The former Rays closer is drawing interest from multiple contenders, with the Marlins, Blue Jays, Dodgers, and now the Tigers all reportedly in the mix. That’s a strong group of suitors for a reliever who, despite some recent concerns, still brings a lot to the table.
Tampa Bay’s decision to decline Fairbanks’ $11 million club option raised some eyebrows. This is a guy who just turned in his healthiest season to date, logging a career-high 60 1/3 innings while posting a 2.83 ERA and notching a career-best 27 saves.
Since 2020, he’s been a staple in the Rays’ bullpen, delivering a 2.87 ERA over that stretch with 88 saves, 30 holds, and a strikeout rate north of 30%. That’s elite-level production for a reliever, especially in the high-leverage situations Fairbanks has consistently been trusted with.
But the hesitation from the Rays - and likely other clubs - stems from some clear trendlines. Fairbanks turns 32 this month, and his stuff, while still solid, isn’t quite as electric as it once was.
His fastball averaged 97.3 mph over the last two seasons - still plenty firm, but a tick down from the 99 mph heat he used to bring. The strikeout numbers tell a similar story.
From 2020 to 2023, he punched out nearly 35% of hitters. Over the past two seasons, that number has dropped to 24%.
His swinging-strike rate has also dipped, from a dominant 15.1% to a more league-average 11.3%.
None of this means Fairbanks is suddenly unreliable. He’s still a quality late-inning arm with experience in pressure spots.
But he’s no longer overpowering hitters the way he once did, and that changes how teams value him - especially when you factor in his injury history. Since 2021, Fairbanks has hit the injured list six times, dealing with everything from shoulder and forearm issues to hip inflammation and nerve trouble.
The 60 1/3 innings he logged last season weren’t just a personal best - they were the first time he’s even cracked 46 innings in a big league season.
For a team like the Rays, who operate with one of the tightest budgets in baseball, $11 million for a reliever with some wear and tear and declining swing-and-miss stuff was likely too rich. They could have picked up the option and tried to trade him, but that strategy comes with its own risks - especially if they’d have to eat part of the salary just to move him. Instead, they cut bait early, giving Fairbanks a $1 million buyout and letting the market set his value.
That market could still land him close to that $11 million mark, especially if a team is willing to stretch to a two-year deal. The average annual value might come in a bit lower, but the total guarantee could still be strong - especially now that several top relievers like Devin Williams and Ryan Helsley are already off the board.
Enter the Tigers, who make a lot of sense here. Detroit’s bullpen is in flux after seeing several key arms - including Kyle Finnegan, Rafael Montero, Paul Sewald, and Tommy Kahnle - hit free agency.
They’ve got some promising pieces in Will Vest, Tyler Holton, Brenan Hanifee, and Brant Hurter, but only Vest showed a consistent ability to miss bats in high-leverage spots. That’s the kind of late-inning presence Fairbanks could provide - even if he’s no longer the strikeout machine he once was.
Tigers GM Jeff Greenberg has already made it clear the club is looking to add at least one bullpen arm, and president of baseball operations Scott Harris has publicly pointed to the relief corps as a priority. Detroit reportedly made a run at Devin Williams before he landed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Mets, and they’re also hoping to bring back Finnegan after his strong post-deadline showing.
So while Fairbanks might not be the top-tier bullpen weapon he was a couple of years ago, he still checks a lot of boxes: experience, closing ability, postseason pedigree, and recent durability. And with teams like the Tigers casting a wide net in search of bullpen help, don’t be surprised if Fairbanks finds his next home sooner rather than later.