The list of suitors for free agent reliever Pete Fairbanks continues to grow. Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports that the White Sox are interested in the veteran right-hander. Chicago joins the Diamondbacks, Tigers, Marlins, Blue Jays, and Dodgers as teams connected to Fairbanks.
Tampa Bay declined its $11MM option on Fairbanks back in November. The 31-year-old piled up 75 saves over the past three seasons with the club. Fairbanks posted a strong 2.83 ERA over 61 appearances in 2025, setting a career high in innings by 15 frames. The price tag seemed reasonable for Fairbanks given his recent production, though it ended up being too much for the cost-conscious Rays.
Fairbanks cruised through this past season without any health issues for the first time since the shortened 2020 campaign. Over the previous four years, he had missed time with rotator cuff, shoulder, lat, forearm, and hip injuries. Fairbanks also dealt with a nerve-related issue in 2024. After his fastball sat at 99 mph in 2023, it’s been in the 97 mph range over the past two years.
Even with the frequent IL stints, Fairbanks was a valuable member of Tampa Bay’s bullpen during his tenure. He posted a 3.19 ERA over 265 1/3 innings with the club. Fairbanks was virtually unhittable for stretches, including a two-year run from 2022 to 2023 where opponents hit .155 and .163 against him, respectively. Sending Nick Solak to Texas straight up for Fairbanks before the reliever found his footing in the big leagues certainly paid off for Tampa Bay.
The White Sox bullpen had the fifth-worst SIERA and the third-worst xFIP last season. The closer role was a moving target, with nine different relievers recording a save. Jordan Leasure led the way with seven saves and would likely be Chicago’s closer if the season started today, though he would likely be supplanted by Fairbanks or any other notable free agent acquisition. No White Sox reliever has recorded double-digit saves since 2022 (Liam Hendriks with 37).
Chicago shelled out $24MM for Kendall Graveman and $17MM for Joe Kelly ahead of the 2022 season. Since then, the club has been hesitant to spend on relievers (or any other position). The most expensive bullpen addition over the past three seasons was John Brebbia on a one-year, $5.5MM deal in 2024. The White Sox’s only reliever signing last offseason was Bryse Wilson, who got a one-year, $1.05MM pact.
Photo courtesy of Rafael Suanes, Imagn Images