Blue Jays trade deadline target: Pete Fairbanks

At one point, it looked as if the Tampa Bay Rays were going to contend to finish first in the American League East.

However, they’ve gone 4-6 in their last 10 games and just snapped a four-game losing streak, giving them a record of 54-53. They are now nine games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the division lead, and are two and a half games back of the final Wild Card spot and heading in the wrong direction.

With the team trading Danny Jansen on Monday afternoon, it looks as if the Orioles are heading down the sell path, which The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal also reported on a few days ago. While Brandon Lowe and Yandy Díaz could be available, there’s also a reliever of interest in the Rays’ bullpen: Pete Fairbanks.

Of the 29 other teams in the league, the six trades with the Rays are the fewest the Blue Jays have made with any team. Their most recent trade was earlier this season, as the Rays purchased reliever Brandon Eisert. The last time the two teams made a trade during the season was in 2019, when the Jays sent Eric Sogard to the Rays for two minor league prospects. This is to say that trades between the two American League rivals don’t happen often.

With that said, let’s get to know the reliever!

Scouting report

Fairbanks is a 6’6”, 235 lbs right-handed pitcher. The 31-year-old has served as the Rays’ primary closer for the past three seasons, and averages a four-seam fastball in the upper 90s, averaging 97.3 mph this season.

Through 39 games, Fairbanks has authored a 2.84 ERA and 2.93 FIP in 38 innings pitched, picking up 17 saves in 20 opportunities. One area of concern surrounding Fairbanks is the dip in velocity, as he averaged 99 mph in 2022 and 2023. The latter season was his career year, as he finished with a 2.58 ERA and 2.70 FIP in 45.1 innings pitched, with a 37 K% and 10.9 BB%.

The drop in velocity has evidently impacted his strikeout rate, as he went from a 37 K% in 2023 to a 23.8 K% in 2024, dropping to 20.3% this season. Nearly half the balls hit into play are of the grounder variety, but there are certainly some concerns about the 31-year-old.

Contract situation

Fairbanks is on a cheap contract, earning $3.817 million towards payroll, and $4.15 million towards the luxury tax. Additionally, Fairbanks also has a team option worth $7 million, with a buyout of $1 million.

Despite his relatively low cost, acquiring Fairbanks would push the Blue Jays over $281 million unless they move money out. That’s notable as going $40 million over the competitive balance tax of $241 million means that a team’s first-round pick will drop down 10 picks.

Still, Fairbanks is a high-leverage reliever on a cheap contract with good results.

How does Fairbanks help the Blue Jays?

What’s not to like about Fairbanks? The reliever has touched triple-digits with his fastball and avoids getting barrelled. On top of his heater, Fairbanks’ slider is a great pitch as well, earning a run value of two according to Baseball Savant.

With a team option for the 2026 season, Fairbanks also has a year and a half remaining on his deal, and you know that the Blue Jays front office likes to acquire players with term. If the Jays are to acquire the 31-year-old, he’d either become the team’s set-up man or their closer, an arm the Jays desperately need for the bullpen.