The Orioles' Closer Conundrum: A Potential Solution?
Finding a replacement for Félix Bautista is no small task. The Orioles' All-Star closer, a towering presence on the mound, is set to miss the entire 2026 season, just as he did in 2024. Filling his shoes is a daunting challenge, as evidenced by the struggles of Craig Kimbrel in 2024 and Keegan Akin this season.
But here's where it gets interesting... Pete Fairbanks, a right-handed fireballer, could be the answer to their prayers.
At 31, Fairbanks is a classic success story of the Rays' pitching development program. Drafted in the ninth round, he had just a handful of MLB appearances and a less-than-stellar ERA when the Rays acquired him from Texas. His journey to the majors was far from easy, having undergone two Tommy John surgeries. Yet, his arsenal of a high-90s fastball and a wicked slider remained intact.
With the Rays' guidance, Fairbanks refined his slider, adding more bite to it each year. By 2024, his slider was a thing of beauty, dropping a whopping 45.5 inches vertically, making it virtually unhittable. Combined with his fastball, which ranks among the fastest in the league, Fairbanks became a formidable bullpen asset.
From 2019 to 2022, he posted impressive numbers with the Rays, gradually taking on more high-pressure situations. The Rays' faith in him was evident when they signed him to a three-year extension and made him their full-time closer. Since then, he's saved 75 games out of 88 opportunities, an impressive 85% success rate.
Injuries have been a constant companion for Fairbanks, but none as severe as his elbow reconstructions. The 2025 season was the first where he remained injury-free all year. Previous seasons saw him miss time with various ailments, from a rotator cuff strain to inflammation in multiple areas. This injury history might have influenced the Rays' decision not to exercise his $7 million option for 2026.
Despite his health concerns, Fairbanks has proven his worth on the field. He's still one of the hardest throwers in baseball, and batters struggle to make solid contact against him. This season, he posted a solid 2.83 ERA in a career-high number of games, allowing just over one baserunner per inning. Fairbanks even experimented with his pitch mix, adding a new cutter and a changeup to his repertoire, but his bread and butter remains the fastball and slider.
As he turns 32 next month, Fairbanks won't command a massive contract. MLBTradeRumors predicts a reasonable two-year, $18 million deal, which is well within the Orioles' budget. Fairbanks, an established closer with AL East experience, could be the perfect fit for the Orioles' ninth-inning dilemma.
And this is the part most people miss... Fairbanks is not your typical jock. He's a self-proclaimed 'dork' with a unique set of interests. He's a LEGO enthusiast, just like some of his potential new teammates. In fact, he had to clarify a gesture he made towards the Orioles' dugout, explaining it was directed at a heckling fan, not the LEGO-loving Orioles players. Fairbanks is also a crossword puzzle expert, a Pokémon card collector, and a voracious reader with eclectic tastes, from Superman comics to German ambassador biographies. His favorite author? Swedish novelist Fredrik Backman.
In a sport where players often stick to cliched post-game quotes, I appreciate those who show their personality. And Fairbanks' personality is one of a huge nerd, which I find refreshing.
Is Fairbanks a risky choice? Absolutely. His injury history and declining K/9 rate are cause for concern. But with his track record and AL East experience, he seems like a logical choice for the Orioles this offseason. Just remember, he's not Félix Bautista, and that's okay.
