Reliever Pete Fairbanks and the Miami Marlins have finalized a one-year contract, it was announced Sunday.
The deal is for $13 million, sources confirmed to ESPN.
Fairbanks, 32, had an $11 million option turned down by the Tampa Bay Rays and went into the open market and beat that number by $2 million.
He was one of the top relievers available in the market for high-leverage options. As the primary closer for the Rays over the past four seasons, Fairbanks saved 83 games and posted a 2.83 ERA, striking out 332 and walking 103 in 265â…“ innings.
With a fastball that sits at 97 mph, a well-above-average slider and a cutter that was added midseason in 2025 and graded out as an elite pitch, Fairbanks was expected to draw multiyear interest.
Amid questions about his durability after he never had thrown more than 45â…“ innings in a season, Fairbanks went 4-5 with a 2.83 ERA in 60 1/3 innings in 2025. He also set a career high with 27 saves in 32 opportunities, while giving up seven home runs and 45 hits.
Fairbanks also finished last season ranked third among American League relievers in games finished (48) and seventh in saves.
His best full season came in 2023, when he struck out 13.5 batters per nine innings and had greater than an 11-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
