The Miami Marlins are bolstering their bullpen in a big way, agreeing to a one-year, $13 million deal with right-hander Pete Fairbanks. The contract includes a $1 million signing bonus, plus another $1 million in potential incentives tied to appearances. If Fairbanks is traded during the season, he’ll pocket an additional $500,000.
This move brings a proven late-inning arm to Miami - and one with a track record of handling high-leverage situations. Fairbanks, 31, spent the last seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he carved out a reputation as a power reliever with a bulldog mentality.
Last season, he posted a 2.83 ERA and 3.63 FIP over 60 1/3 innings while locking down 27 saves. Despite the solid numbers, Tampa Bay declined his $11 million club option, making him one of the more intriguing bullpen arms on the market.
Since debuting with the Texas Rangers back in 2019, Fairbanks has quietly built a consistent résumé out of the bullpen, logging a 3.19 ERA and 3.10 FIP across his career - all in relief. When he’s on, he’s got the kind of stuff that plays in any ballpark: a high-90s fastball that rides up in the zone and a slider that can buckle knees.
But there’s been a noticeable shift in his profile over the past couple of seasons. From 2019 through 2023, Fairbanks was striking out nearly 34% of the batters he faced - elite territory for a reliever.
That number dipped to 24% over the past two seasons, a significant drop that raises some questions about his ability to miss bats at the same clip. Whether it’s a matter of command, velocity, or hitters adjusting to his arsenal, it’s something the Marlins will be keeping a close eye on.
Still, Fairbanks brings plenty to the table. He’s experienced, battle-tested, and capable of handling ninth-inning duties or working in a setup role. For a Marlins team looking to solidify the back end of its bullpen, this is a calculated bet on a reliever with closing experience and a history of success in the AL East pressure cooker.
Fairbanks joins a long list of relievers who’ve found new homes this offseason, as teams across the league continue to prioritize bullpen depth. Edwin Díaz, Robert Suarez, Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley, Raisel Iglesias, Kenley Jansen, Luke Weaver, Tyler Rogers, and Brad Keller are just some of the names who’ve signed new deals in what’s been an active winter for late-inning arms.
For Miami, adding Fairbanks is a signal that they’re not content to sit back - they’re looking to compete, and they know that in today’s game, having a reliable bullpen isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.