The ninth inning was a revolving door for the Miami Marlins in 2025. That shouldn’t be the case in the course of the upcoming season.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Marlins have agreed to phrases with nearer Pete Fairbanks on a one-year, $13 million contract. He’ll earn an additional $2 million after the Rays declined a one-year, $11 million group choice for 2026.
The Marlins had a committee strategy to the ninth inning, with 9 totally different pitchers recording a save. Calvin Faucher led the Marlins with 15 saves in 2025, however he isn’t precisely a shutdown nearer. Ronny Henriquez has the pure stuff to be the Marlins’ nearer of the long run, however he underwent proper elbow surgical procedure and can miss the 2026 season.
Pete Fairbanks gives ninth-inning stability for the Miami Marlins
Fairbanks offers the Marlins a steady choice 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 whereas issuing 18 walks. 2025 marked the third consecutive season that Fairbanks has saved not less than 20 video games.
He does include some purple flags. Whereas his fastball stays within the ninetieth percentile, averaging 97.3 MPH, his velocity has decreased by 1.6 MPH over the previous two years. Likewise, his batted ball metrics have trended within the improper path as his OPS in opposition to has elevated by 106 factors, common exit velocity in opposition to has risen by 5.1 mph and his hard-hit fee in opposition to has elevated by 7.1%.
Regardless of these questions, Fairbanks has been a strong nearer over the previous three seasons. Because the Marlins need to construct off of their surprisingly aggressive 79-83 report in 2025, having a confirmed choice within the ninth inning is a step in that path.
