The Tampa Bay Rays are known for balancing their budget while excelling at scouting and developing talent, especially pitchers. This often leads to challenging trade negotiations, but there’s a reliever on their roster who might catch the Atlanta Braves’ attention.
According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, teams are expressing interest in Rays pitchers Jeffrey Springs (LHP) and Pete Fairbanks (RHP). While both are intriguing, this discussion centers on Fairbanks as a potential fit for the Braves’ bullpen.
Fairbanks, a hard-throwing right-hander, remains under team control for two more years. He’s set to earn $3.667 million this season, with a $7 million club option for 2026—an affordable deal even for Tampa Bay. However, the Rays might view this as a prime opportunity to trade Fairbanks, maximizing their investment while planning for the future.
Competing in the AL East—a division stacked with powerhouse teams like the Yankees, Orioles, Red Sox, and Blue Jays—makes it tough for the Rays to secure a playoff spot in 2025. This lessens their immediate need for a top-tier closer, opening the door to move Fairbanks for long-term assets.
Fairbanks has dealt with injuries that affected his availability and performance. Last season, he recorded a 3.57 ERA and 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings over 46 appearances, the lowest K/9 of his career. This drop partly stems from diminished velocity, with his fastball averaging 97.4 mph in 2024—nearly two mph below his peak.
Despite these concerns, Fairbanks’ potential and manageable contract make him an attractive option for many teams. Since 2020, he’s delivered a 2.79 ERA, 2.70 FIP, and 141 ERA+, making him a strong candidate to bolster the Braves’ bullpen in Joe Jimenez’s absence—if the price aligns with Atlanta’s plans.
