Pete Fairbanks is not returning to the Tampa Bay Rays, but the right-handed relief pitcher remains in Florida. The Miami Marlins sign Fairbanks, 32, to a one-year deal worth $13 million, according to multiple reports Wednesday.
Fairbanks, 32, hit the open market after the Rays declined his $11 million club option for 2025. As a free agent, he would sign a contract worth $2 million more.
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There is a $1 million signing bonus included in the deal, plus an additional $1 million in appearance-based incentives, by MLB.comwhich also reported that Fairbanks would receive the highest annual salary the Marlins have ever given to a relief pitcher, surpassing the $9 million average earned by Heath Bell during the 2012-2014 seasons.
Fairbanks was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2015 and made his major league debut for the organization in 2019, however, he was traded to the Rays later that year. He spent six-plus seasons in Tampa, serving as the Rays’ closer from 2023 to 2025. Over those three years, he accumulated 75 saves, good for 12th reliever during that span, according to The Athletic.
During that stretch, he recorded a save in 85.2% of his save opportunities and posted a 2.98 ERA, 171 strikeouts and just 55 walks. His consistency can be attributed to a high-powered fastball that hovers around 97 mph and is aided by his 6-foot-6, 235-pound frame. Fairbanks also has a reliable slider and has recently incorporated a cutter into his arsenal.
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Injuries have been a problem for him. From 2021 to 2024, he appeared on the injured list seven times, according to The Athletic.
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That said, he stayed off the IL last season while pitching a career-high 60 1/3 innings in 61 games. His 27 saves are a personal best.
Earlier this week, the Marlins announced that right-handed reliever Ronny Henriquez would miss next season after undergoing a hybrid procedure involving Tommy John surgery.
Last year, Miami’s bullpen finished 22nd in ERA (4.28) and 25th in strikeouts per nine innings (8.21).
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Although it has declined in recent seasons, Fairbanks’ strikeout average per nine innings — which was 8.8 in 2025 — should provide a boost to the Marlins bullpen, where he will be joined by fellow right-handers Anthony Bender, Calvin Faucher and Tyler Phillips.
