"Tampa Bay declined its $11MM option on Fairbanks back in November. The 31-year-old piled up 75 saves over the past three seasons with the club. Fairbanks posted a strong 2.83 ERA over 61 appearances in 2025, setting a career high in innings by 15 frames. The price tag seemed reasonable for Fairbanks given his recent production, though it ended up being too much for the cost-conscious Rays."
"Fairbanks cruised through this past season without any health issues for the first time since the shortened 2020 campaign. Over the previous four years, he had missed time with rotator cuff, shoulder, lat, forearm, and hip injuries. Fairbanks also dealt with a nerve-related issue in 2024. After his fastball sat at 99 mph in 2023, it's been in the 97 mph range over the past two years."
"Even with the frequent IL stints, Fairbanks was a valuable member of Tampa Bay's bullpen during his tenure. He posted a 3.19 ERA over 265 1/3 innings with the club. Fairbanks was virtually unhittable for stretches, including a two-year run from 2022 to 2023 where opponents hit .155 and .163 against him, respectively. Sending Nick Solak to Texas straight up for Fairbanks before the reliever found his footing in the big leagues certainly paid off for Tampa Bay."
Pete Fairbanks is a free agent right-handed reliever pursued by multiple teams, with the White Sox joining the Diamondbacks, Tigers, Marlins, Blue Jays, and Dodgers in showing interest. Tampa Bay declined his $11MM option after he saved 75 games over three seasons and posted a 2.83 ERA across 61 appearances in 2025. Fairbanks finished a season without health issues for the first time since 2020 after multiple prior injuries including rotator cuff, shoulder, lat, forearm, hip, and a nerve issue in 2024. He averaged a fastball velocity near 97 mph in recent years and produced a 3.19 ERA over 265 1/3 innings with Tampa Bay. Chicago’s bullpen struggled in key metrics and lacks a clear closer, creating a potential fit for Fairbanks.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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