Pete Fairbanks $13 Million 1-Year Contract with the Miami Marlins

During this holiday season, the Miami Marlins signed closer Pete Fairbanks to a 1-year, $13 million contract for the 2026 season. He's been on the Tampa Bay Rays since 2019 and has been one of their better relievers in their bullpen. The Rays held a club option for $11 million for the 2026 season but decided to decline it, making him a free agent.

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So did the Rays make a mistake, and will the Marlins benefit from signing him? Entering his age 32 season, he still has plus stuff with a fastball that can hit 100 at a 59-degree arm angle. He posted a 2.83 ERA along with a 1.04 WHIP. In the past 3 years, he posted a 2.98 combined ERA along with a 3.31 FIP. Fairbanks' performance and sustained consistency give him a projected $12.2 million salary based on the valuation model for this upcoming season. Considering the valuation system doesn't account for market demand, the Rays declining his $11 million option is puzzling. The Marlins are getting a solid reliever that will close for them and be a potential option to flip at the deadline if they don't improve.