Marlins Sign Closer Pete Fairbanks to 1-Year, $13M Deal After Rays Decline Option

Pete Fairbanks has signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Miami Marlins, including a $1M signing bonus and $1M in incentives, after the Rays declined his $11M club option. Fairbanks, expected to be the Marlins' closer, recorded 90 saves for Tampa Bay from 2020-25, including 75 over the last three seasons. In 2025, he pitched a career-high 60.1 innings across 61 appearances with a 2.83 ERA and 27 saves in 32 chances, maintaining elite 97.3 mph fastball velocity. Despite past injury issues, he remained healthy last season, and his addition aims to boost a Marlins bullpen that ranked 22nd in ERA last year.