Tigers recognized as match for Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks in ESPN deadline report initially appeared on Athlon Sports activities.
The Tigers don’t want a full bullpen overhaul, however they want yet another late-inning weapon with swing-and-miss stuff. ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel suppose Pete Fairbanks is perhaps the reply.
Fairbanks, the Tampa Bay reliever who’s handled accidents and inconsistency in previous seasons, has made some key changes in 2025. In line with the analysts, he’s raised his arm slot and sharpened his pitch combine. His fastball now averages 97.1 mph with extra minimize, and his slider has added depth. Each pitches are enjoying higher than they did final yr and the outcomes present it.
That makes him a possible commerce match for a handful of contenders, together with the Tigers, who Passan lists amongst Fairbanks’ high touchdown spots.
Fairbanks isn’t a rental, both.
He’s below membership management by means of 2026, with a crew possibility that might attain $10 million with escalators. That further yr provides worth for a Tigers entrance workplace that has persistently focused controllable arms throughout its construct.
So why may Tampa Bay transfer him? As a result of the Rays are banged up, on the perimeter of the playoff image, and, true to kind, at all times keen to maneuver a reliever earlier than the worth drops. That stated, Passan solely provides a 35 % likelihood that Fairbanks is dealt. Tampa’s bullpen accidents might preserve him in Tampa.
But when he’s accessible, the Tigers ought to give it some thought. One caveat is that Fairbanks has a situation that has induced him to lose feeling in his finger when pitching in chilly climate. Detroit isn’t precisely balmy in October, final we checked.
. Fairbanks brings postseason expertise, strikeout stuff, and contract flexibility. He wouldn’t have to be a more in-depth in Detroit, only a bridge.
It’s not the flashiest transfer on the board. However for a Tigers crew with World Sequence aspirations, Fairbanks might be the form of sensible, under-the-radar addition that pays off in October.
This story was initially reported by Athlon Sports activities on Jul 21, 2025, the place it first appeared.
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