### Marlins Make a Bold Move: Signing Pete Fairbanks to a Record $13 Million Deal The Miami Marlins have made headlines by signing relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks to a one-year contract worth $13 million, marking the highest salary ever for a Marlins relief pitcher. This strategic acquisition comes as the team aims to bolster its struggling bullpen after a disappointing 2025 season, where they finished with a 79-83 record. Fairbanks, a former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher, has demonstrated his capabilities as a closer, accumulating 75 saves over the past three seasons. The Marlins hope that this investment will significantly improve their late-game performance and overall competitiveness in the upcoming 2026 season [https://thepicks.com/us/news/mlb/pete-fairbanks-marlins-deal][https://thepicks.com/us/news/mlb/marlins-pete-fairbanks-13-million-deal]. ### Breakdown of the Marlins' Acquisition Strategy 1. **Contract Details**: - Fairbanks signed a one-year deal worth $13 million, a record for the Marlins' relief pitchers [https://thepicks.com/us/news/mlb/marlins-pete-fairbanks-signing-2]. - This contract represents a $2 million increase from the $11 million club option that the Rays declined [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/marlins_show_willingness_to_spend_by_adding_rp_pete_fairbanks/s1_13132_43246410]. 2. **Performance Background**: - Fairbanks has a solid track record, with a 2.83 ERA and 27 saves in 61 appearances during the 2025 season [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/marlins_show_willingness_to_spend_by_adding_rp_pete_fairbanks/s1_13132_43246410]. - He has maintained a sub-3.60 ERA for five consecutive seasons, showcasing his reliability as a closer [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/marlins_show_willingness_to_spend_by_adding_rp_pete_fairbanks/s1_13132_43246410]. 3. **Team Needs**: - The Marlins' bullpen ranked 22nd in the league with a 4.28 ERA and was 17th in saves with only 40 in 2025 [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/marlins_show_willingness_to_spend_by_adding_rp_pete_fairbanks/s1_13132_43246410]. - The addition of Fairbanks is seen as a crucial step in addressing these deficiencies and improving the team's overall performance [https://thepicks.com/us/news/mlb/marlins-pete-fairbanks-signing]. ### Supporting Evidence of Fairbanks' Impact - **Career Statistics**: - **Saves**: 75 saves over the last three seasons. - **ERA**: 2.83 in 2025, with a consistent performance below 3.60 for five years. - **Strikeouts**: 59 strikeouts in 60.1 innings pitched during the 2025 season [https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/breaking-news/article/marlins-reportedly-signing-pete-fairbanks-to-1-year-13-million-deal-after-rays-turned-down-relievers-club-option-193404927.html]. - **Team Performance Context**: - The Marlins had a bottom-10 bullpen in 2025, indicating a pressing need for improvement in this area [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/marlins_show_willingness_to_spend_by_adding_rp_pete_fairbanks/s1_13132_43246410]. ### Conclusion: A Strategic Investment for Future Success In summary, the Miami Marlins' decision to sign Pete Fairbanks to a record $13 million deal is a significant move aimed at revitalizing their bullpen and enhancing their competitiveness for the 2026 season. 1. **Record Contract**: Fairbanks' deal is the highest for a Marlins relief pitcher, reflecting the team's commitment to improvement. 2. **Proven Closer**: With a strong performance history, Fairbanks is expected to be a key asset in late-game situations. 3. **Addressing Team Needs**: This acquisition directly targets the Marlins' bullpen struggles, which were evident in the previous season. By investing in Fairbanks, the Marlins are not only addressing immediate needs but also signaling their intent to compete more effectively in the upcoming season [https://thepicks.com/us/news/mlb/marlins-pete-fairbanks-signing][https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/marlins_show_willingness_to_spend_by_adding_rp_pete_fairbanks/s1_13132_43246410].