The Miami Marlins have landed one of the top relievers on the open market, signing RP Pete Fairbanks to a one-year, $13 million deal. The Marlins are getting one of the most consistent relievers over the past three seasons, and the back end of their bullpen is one of the best in all of baseball.
Marlins Bolster Their Bullpen
The Miami Marlins’ bullpen will now feature Anthony Bender and Pete Fairbanks, both of whom boast elite off-speed pitches. Overall, the pitching staff looks exceptionally strong and could rank among the league’s best if they stay healthy and avoid major trades. This offseason marks the first significant free agency splash for Miami in years, as they aim for a playoff push with their talented, youthful roster that flashed potential in 2025.
A notable bright spot in last year’s bullpen, Ronny Henriquez, will unfortunately miss the 2026 season after undergoing hybrid right elbow UCL reconstruction and an internal brace procedure. Henriquez delivered 73 innings of work with a stellar 2.22 ERA, notching seven saves and striking out 32.4% of opposing batters, placing him among the top 20 MLB relievers in both strikeouts and whiff rate.
Fairbanks’ $13 million salary this season is historic for the Marlins, representing the highest single-season amount the franchise has ever paid a reliever. For Fairbanks, leaving Tampa Bay ultimately paid off after the Rays declined his $11 million option, he secured a bigger payday for 2026 and remains in Florida.
What’s Next For The Fish?
The Marlins’ pitching staff appears set for next season, so their priority should be bolstering a thin lineup. While Cristopher Morel has been added and is expected to be the everyday first baseman, there’s still a glaring need on the left side of the infield. Although landing a star like Alex Bregman isn’t realistic, more attainable options such as Miguel Andujar and Eugenio Suarez would be smart targets.
Neither would require a long-term contract but would likely seek a higher average annual value in order to re-enter free agency in the next year or two. Suarez would bring much-needed power to the heart of the lineup, having hit 49 home runs with the Diamondbacks and Mariners last season. Andujar, while lacking power, offers reliable contact and could be a budget-friendly solution if the Marlins want to take that route.
If Miami signs Suarez or Andujar to a one-year deal and the team struggles by the trade deadline, they could flip either player for prospects to further strengthen their already impressive farm system.
