Marlins plug understated hole with Pete Fairbanks addition

The ninth inning was a revolving door for the Miami Marlins in 2025. That should not be the case during the upcoming season.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the Marlins have agreed to terms with closer Pete Fairbanks on a one-year, $13 million contract. He will earn an extra $2 million after the Rays declined a one-year, $11 million team option for 2026.

The Marlins had a committee approach to the ninth inning, with nine different pitchers recording a save. Calvin Faucher led the Marlins with 15 saves in 2025, but he is not exactly a shutdown closer. Ronny Henriquez has the pure stuff to be the Marlins' closer of the future, but he underwent right elbow surgery and will miss the 2026 season.

Pete Fairbanks provides ninth-inning stability for the Miami Marlins

Fairbanks gives the Marlins a stable option for the ninth inning in 2026. He posted a 2.83 ERA and a 1.044 WHiP over his 60.1 innings, notching 27 saves as he struck out 59 batters while issuing 18 walks. 2025 marked the third consecutive season that Fairbanks has saved at least 20 games.

He does come with some red flags. While his fastball remains in the 90th percentile, averaging 97.3 MPH, his velocity has decreased by 1.6 MPH over the past two years. Likewise, his batted ball metrics have trended in the wrong direction as his OPS against has increased by 106 points, average exit velocity against has risen by 5.1 mph and his hard-hit rate against has increased by 7.1%.

Despite those questions, Fairbanks has been a solid closer over the past three seasons. As the Marlins are looking to build off of their surprisingly competitive 79-83 record in 2025, having a proven option in the ninth inning is a step in that direction.