Veteran reliever Pete Fairbanks’ free agency ended Wednesday as the 32-year-old signed with the Miami Marlins on a one-year deal worth $13 million. The contract also includes a $1 million signing bonus as well as a $1 million incentive based on appearances.
Fairbanks, who has played for the Tampa Bay Rays since being traded to the team by the Texas Rangers in 2019, spent more than six seasons with the franchise before opting for free agency at the end of last season after the Rays declined an $11 million club option for 2026.
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Fans reacted when the former Rays pitcher sang of a better deal with the Marlins.
“Fairbanks just flexed on Tampa Bay: ‘Thanks for the option, I’ll take the upgrade 😎”
“Rays turned down $11 million just to see him get $13 million later. Emotional damage.”
“Rays declined the option, Marlins just offered Fairbanks an early upgrade for Christmas 😂”
“Miracle on 27th Avenue: The Marlins, Pirates and White Sox just lost over $80 million in 72 hours. Small market spending is crazy this Christmas 🎅🏻”
“Now the Cubs are outbid by the Marlins. Damn. We need a real owner who knows he has a big market team.”
“The Marlins will love Fairbanks, especially if they end up having to trade him and get a decent haul for him.”
According to MLB.com, the deal also includes a $500,000 acquisition bonus if Fairbanks is traded. He becomes the relief pitcher with the highest annual salary in franchise history, surpassing Heath Bell’s $9 million AAV.
Veteran reliever Pete Fairbanks becomes second former Rays player to join Marlins in free agency
The Marlins are looking for short-term deals this offseason and Pete Fairbanks becomes the second former Rays player to join the franchise as Christopher Morel joined the team on a one-year, $2 million deal last week.
The decision to sign the veteran reliever follows Marlins closer Ronny Henriquez’s Tommy John hybrid surgery, which ruled him out for the 2026 season.
Edited by Chaitanya Prakash
