The Philadelphia Phillies' options continue to dwindle in the bullpen department. They may be down to only one name to sign in free agency and should venture over to Pete Fairbanks' camp to solve the hole in their bullpen. Fairbanks declined his club option with the Tampa Bay Rays, making him a free agent for the 2026 season.
On Friday, right-handed submariner Tyler Rogers and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a three-year, $37 million deal. The deal shows what kind of premium a reliever will cost but also takes another top reliever off the free agent market, giving the Phillies limited space to work with for arms.
The Phillies badly need a setup arm in front of closer Jhoan Duran, and a pitcher like Fairbanks could be the go-to move. The Phillies also need to pounce on the idea before it's too late.
Pete Fairbanks is one bullpen name the Phillies have to move on before their options run out
Jim Salisbury of The Phillies Show recently discussed Fairbanks as an option for the Phillies at the back end of their bullpen.
"They would like to address that setup area … somebody you could use in the seventh and eighth inning from the right side, someone who's tough on right-handers …" Salisbury said. "A guy like [Pete] Fairbanks would make a lot of sense, depending on where they are budget-wise."
The Phillies would like to address the setup role in the bullpen, says @JimSalisbury215.
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) December 11, 2025
"Pete Fairbanks would make a lot of sense, depending on where they are budget-wise." pic.twitter.com/GeMDoS1bcx
Fairbanks, 31, has been in the Rays organization for the past seven seasons. He finished 2025 with a 2.83 ERA, 59 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings, and a career-high 27 saves (subscription required). He would serve as a great right-handed option to offset the lefties in the pen like José Alvarado, Tanner Banks, and Matt Strahm.
Furthermore, he would also be a great replacement if they trade Matt Strahm and can squeeze in the additional cost. The Phillies had to bring back slugger Kyle Schwarber, but the addition of his $30 million now puts the Phillies on a tight budget the rest of the offseason.
Salisbury mentioned the possibility of shedding salary, and that's exactly what the expectation was, with the idea of shaking up the roster to still compete for a championship. The Phillies are trying to trade outfielder Nick Castellanos and might entertain moving third baseman Alec Bohm or even Strahm to make room on the payroll. Per Spotrac, Fairbanks' market value comes in at $14.6 million per year.
The Phillies are working on a tight budget, but Fairbanks would help tremendously to shore up a bullpen that leaked oil most of the year in 2025. The Phillies just need to move some pieces around in order not to overspend this winter. They could and should offload some money over the coming months, but Fairbanks should be the one guy they call soon to try to sign. There are not many names left that can help them help as well as Fairbanks, so they might as well try before it's too late.