Fairbanks Agrees to 1-Year, $13M Deal With Marlins

Veteran closer Pete Fairbanks is headed to South Beach. He agreed to a one-year, $13 million deal with the Miami Marlins, instantly shaking up the back end of their bullpen.

After the Tampa Bay Rays declined his $11 million option, the 32-year-old right-hander found a new home and managed to secure a raise. It’s one of the more intriguing short-term contracts in this offseason’s relief market.

Pete Fairbanks to the Marlins: A High-Leverage Bet

The Marlins are betting on elite stuff and recent durability. They’re adding one of the top high-leverage arms available in free agency.

Fairbanks comes to Miami after four seasons as the Rays’ primary closer. He built a reputation as a power reliever who can shut down the heart of any lineup.

He’ll step into a new league and a fresh clubhouse. Suddenly, Fairbanks is a focal point of Miami’s late-inning plans and a key figure in their push to stay competitive in a ruthless National League landscape.

A Proven Track Record in the Ninth Inning

Over the last four seasons with Tampa Bay, Fairbanks emerged as one of the more reliable closers in the American League. During that stretch, he notched 83 saves and posted a strong 2.83 ERA, anchoring a Rays bullpen that consistently ranked among the league’s best.

His strikeout numbers really jump off the page. Fairbanks punched out 332 hitters and walked just 103 across 265⅓ innings, a profile that’s tailor-made for high-pressure, late-game situations.

Dominant Stuff: Fastball, Slider, and an Elite Cutter

Fairbanks’ success starts with a power arsenal that plays anywhere. His fastball usually sits at 97 mph, letting him challenge hitters up in the zone and set up his off-speed stuff.

His main weapon has always been a well-above-average slider that gets swings and misses from both righties and lefties. But in 2025, he added a cutter midseason—evaluators and the underlying numbers quickly graded it as elite.

With three plus pitches and sharper command, Fairbanks gives Miami a real matchup weapon in the late innings.

Career Year, Contract Year

There’s not much mystery why Fairbanks drew so much attention after Tampa Bay declined his option. His recent performance and improved health answered a lot of the questions about his long-term value.

The one-year structure might surprise some folks. It’s a reminder of how the reliever market often balances upside and risk.

Peak Performance in 2023

Fairbanks’ best full season came in 2023, when he planted himself firmly among the game’s top late-inning arms. He struck out 13.5 batters per nine innings—that’s the kind of swing-and-miss profile teams crave in the bullpen.

His command that year was even more impressive. He put up an 11-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, which is eye-popping for a power reliever.

Answering Durability Concerns in 2025

For much of his career, Fairbanks faced questions about durability. Entering 2025, he hadn’t thrown more than 45⅓ innings in a season, so people wondered if he could handle a closer’s workload over six months.

He put those doubts to rest in 2025 by logging a career-high 60⅓ innings. That heavier workload came with a career-high 27 saves, showing he could handle a full season in the closer’s role.

Why the Marlins and Fairbanks Make Sense

The contract structure stands out. After Tampa Bay declined his $11 million option, Fairbanks topped that with $13 million on a one-year deal.

For a reliever with his track record, many expected multiyear offers to show up. Instead, Fairbanks and the Marlins landed on a high-AAV, short-term pact that works for both sides.

Mutual Upside in a Short-Term Deal

Miami’s taking a calculated swing here. They’re betting on an elite reliever, but without the long-term risk that usually comes with bullpen contracts.

If Fairbanks keeps pitching like he has, the Marlins get a top-tier closer for just one season. That gives them the flexibility to reassess things next winter, which feels smart.

For Fairbanks, it’s a shot at some high-leverage innings and maybe a pile of saves. If he stays healthy and dominant, he’ll hit free agency again with even more leverage.

The Athletic broke the news first. Miami’s clearly trying to shore up the bullpen with proven back-end talent.

For a club that wants to shorten games and lean on pitching, adding Pete Fairbanks sends a message. When it’s time for the final three outs, they really think they’ve got the power arm to get there now.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Sources: Fairbanks, Marlins agree to 1-year deal