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6d ago

Marlins Land Closer Pete Fairbanks on One-Year, $13 Million Deal Pending Physical

The move answers Miami’s ninth-inning vacancy created by Ronny Henriquez’s elbow surgery.

Image
Sep 17, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Pete Fairbanks (29) throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 27: Relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks #29 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on August 27, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Rays 4-3 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
12/24/25

Overview

  • The agreement includes a $1 million signing bonus, up to $1 million in appearance incentives, and a $500,000 trade kicker, according to multiple reports.
  • Fairbanks hit free agency after the Rays declined his $11 million club option and paid a $1 million buyout, and he surpassed that option value by $2 million.
  • The 32-year-old posted a 2.83 ERA and 27 saves across 61 appearances in 2025, featuring a 97 mph fastball and a slider-heavy mix.
  • Health and performance trends are part of the calculus, as he logged injured-list stints each year from 2021–24 before a career-high workload in 2025 and a noted decline in strikeout rate.
  • He is expected to serve as Miami’s primary closer in 2026, and the one-year structure with a trade kicker preserves flexibility if the club later explores a move.