Dodgers Rumors: Dodgers Expected to Pursue Pete Fairbanks this Offseason
The Dodgers are likely to pursue Pete Fairbanks, a former Rays relief pitcher, to fill their need for a right-handed back-end pitcher in the bullpen.
LOS ANGELES, CA—The Los Angeles Dodgers, in their quest to become the first three-peat champion since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees, have a few problems to solve for their 2026 roster.
Among those issues is a solution to the inconsistent back end of the bullpen, with multiple arms struggling down the stretch.
Despite having a plethora of arms already locked up in the bullpen, such as left-handed closer Tanner Scott and one more year of veteran right-hander Blake Treinen, the Dodgers have expressed a need for another late-inning right-handed relief option, and they have their eyes set on former Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Pete Fairbanks.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are expected to be among the several teams looking for Fairbanks’ services this winter.
But even in a free-agent market that includes closers Edwin Díaz, Devin Williams and Robert Suárez, Fairbanks should attract considerable interest, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays among his expected suitors.
Entering the 2026 offseason, the Rays decided to decline the 1-year, $11 million club option on Faribanks, making him a free agent. It was considered an odd move for many, especially since the Rays opted to keep Fairbanks on the roster after the trade deadline last season.
However, Rosenthal’s explanation for the Rays’ decision likely centers on Fairbanks’ extensive injury history. Although he did not go on the injured list last season, his Raynaud’s syndrome—which impairs blood flow to the fingers and affects his grip in cold weather—likely restricts his trade options.
Despite the drop in strikeouts this past season, Fairbanks still posted a 2.83 ERA and 3.63 FIP, ranking his expected ERA in the top 11 percent of the league, and with Los Angeles having past connections to Fairbanks, it’s only safe to assume Andrew Friedman and Co. will consider adding the former Ray to their bullpen.
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