Dodgers Could Steal Top Free Agent Reliever on Cubs Radar

Although the Chicago Cubs are not expected to target the very top of the free agent reliever market this offseason there is one prominent closer on their radar heading into 2026. Veteran right-hander Pete Fairbanks became a popular trade deadline target within the Cubs organization back in July and now that he’s a free agent Fairbanks is said to be one of the relievers who could be pursued by Jed Hoyer.

That would be great considering the Cubs have not started a season with an established closer since 2018, when Brandon Morrow had a dominant run in Chicago until injuries ended his season in mid-July. Before then, the team acquired All-Star closer Wade Davis, who was phenomenal in 2017, and the in 2019 the Cubs signed Craig Kimbrel until June, waiting for draft pick compensation penalties to pass before bringing him in.

Going after Fairbanks this offseason would point to a semi-aggressive approach by the Cubs, who aren’t ready to target guys like Edwin Diaz or Robert Suarez to name a few, but are reportedly prepared to invest more heavily in the bullpen compared to previous years.

Via The Athletic.

In reconstructing their bullpen, the Cubs recognize that they can’t only offer one-year contracts to relievers. It’s possible that they will invest multiple years in the right late-inning arms.

That doesn’t mean signing All-Star closer Edwin Díaz to a $100 million contract. Devin Williams, who closed for Cubs manager Craig Counsell during their time with the Milwaukee Brewers, is generating enough early interest to suggest that his next deal will go beyond Chicago’s comfort zone.

But the Cubs are planning to spread their resources around and provide Counsell with several viable options. Pete Fairbanks, the former closer for the Tampa Bay Rays, is a name to keep in mind. A reunion with Brad Keller, who thoroughly enjoyed his time in Chicago, also can’t be ruled out quite yet.

Last offseason the Cubs also had a big need at the back of their bullpen and were actually in the mix for a pair of top closers. First, Tanner Scott was a surprising target, considering the team’s unwillingness to pay for top free agent relievers, but his talent convinced the Cubs to offer him a four-year, $66 million contract. Scott turned them down and instead signed a four-year, $72 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

So, the Cubs pivoted their pursuit to another closer, Kirby Yates. However, the Dodgers once again swooped in and signed Yates, stealing him away from the Cubs. And well, as positive of a development as it is that the Cubs may actually spend more on the bullpen there’s also this tidbit from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

It won’t be easy to attract Fairbanks to Chicago as the Dodgers are expected to go after him as well in free agency, threatening to once again steal a free agent reliever from the Cubs.

Via USA Today.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, with $87 million coming off the books, will keep folks honest in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, but probably won’t be the high bidders – instead wanting to focus on shoring up their bullpen. They could pursue Edwin Diaz or Devin Williams, but rival executives expect them to go after former Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks, who has 75 saves with a 2.98 ERA the past three seasons.

That would be infuriating.

While Fairbanks has not had the same dominant strikeout numbers the past two seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays as his fastball velocity has declined, the 31-year-old has still produced strong numbers out of the bullpen and would be a great addition for the Cubs.

In 2025, the right-handed pitcher recorded a 2.83 ERA in 60.1 innings, and saved 27 games for Tampa Bay. His strikeout rate, which reached ridiculous levels in 2022 and 2023 at 43.7% and 37.9%, respectively, have come down to the 24.0% range since 2024. Fairbanks was once averaging 99mph with his fastball, but he’s settled into 97mph the past two years.

Still, unlike some previous acquisitions made by the Cubs to help upgrade the bullpen, specifically Hector Neris and Ryan Pressly, Fairbanks has not shown significant signs of decline in his results and entering his age-32 season there’s not much worry that he’ll suddenly hit a wall and his production will fall off a cliff.

MLB Trade Rumors has predicted a two-year, $18 million deal for Fairbanks this offseason.