Pete Fairbanks Signs 1-Year, $13M Deal with Marlins
The best remaining bullpen arm is off the market, as Pete Fairbanks has signed with the Miami Marlins. Fairbanks will move just four hours southeast, staying in the warm state of Florida. He inked a one-year, $13 million deal on Wednesday. The Marlins losing Ronny Henriquez to injury opened up a closing spot, giving them the perfect opportunity to bring in Fairbanks.
Reliever Pete Fairbanks and the Miami Marlins are in agreement on a one-year, $13 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Fairbanks, 32, had an $11 million option turned down by Tampa Bay and went onto the open market and beat it by $2 million. @WillSammon was first on the deal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 24, 2025
It became clear over the last few weeks that the Cubs were priced out of the market for Fairbanks, with signs pointing toward most of the remaining budget not being spent on the bullpen. Brad Keller and Luke Weaver both went off the board last week, and now the final top arm has found a new team for the 2026 season.
In 60.1 innings this year, Fairbanks posted a 1.04 WHIP and recorded 27 saves. His 4.8% barrel rate ranked in the 93rd percentile, complemented by a 45.8% groundball rate.
Pete Fairbanks, K'ing the Side in the 9th pic.twitter.com/ulBThbfziw
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 4, 2025
Of course, I can’t talk about Fairbanks without sharing this iconic interview from his time in Tampa Bay.
Marlins are getting one of the most unique characters in baseball in Pete Fairbanks pic.twitter.com/WlEm6f1yUw
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) December 24, 2025
