Dodgers Expected to Pursue Dominant Reliever in Free Agency: Report

"Tanner Scott (four years, $72 million), Kirby Yates (one year, $13 million) and Blake Treinen (two years, $22 million) were all signed to reinforce what was already a strong bullpen that carried LA to a World Series title in 2024. However, neither Scott (4.74 ERA) nor Yates (5.23 ERA) pitched in the postseason, while Treinen (5.40 ERA) had the worst season of his career."

"Fairbanks is coming off a 2025 season in which he made 61 appearances, sporting a 2.83 ERA with 59 strikeouts across 60.1 innings pitched. He has a career 3.19 ERA over 265.1 innings, and has sported a sub-3.00 ERA in three of the last four seasons. Fairbanks mainly relies on a four-seam fastball and slider, the latter of which generated a swing-and-miss 30.8 percent of the time and allowed an opponents' batting average of just .173 this past season."

"While there are plenty of high-caliber (and high-priced) pitchers available, there was one surprise addition to the free agent market who could be a perfect fit for Los Angeles. The Tampa Bay Rays declined their $11 million club option on right-hander Pete Fairbanks this offseason, allowing him to enter free agency. According to The Athletic, he "should attract considerable interest, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays among his expected suitors.""

The Los Angeles Dodgers invested heavily in relievers last offseason, signing Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates and Blake Treinen, but those additions struggled and failed to bolster the postseason staff. The Dodgers must address bullpen shortcomings again via free agency or trade. Pete Fairbanks entered free agency after Tampa Bay declined his $11 million option. Fairbanks made 61 appearances in 2025 with a 2.83 ERA, 59 strikeouts in 60.1 innings and possesses a 3.19 career ERA over 265.1 innings with three sub-3.00 seasons in four years. Fairbanks pairs a 97.3 mph four-seam fastball with a slider that generated a 30.8% swing-and-miss rate and limited opponents to a .173 average. Spotrac projects a three-year, $41.3 million contract, and Los Angeles is listed among expected suitors.

Read at Dodgers Nation