You kind of figured that the Chicago Cubs were done making any bigger moves to add to the bullpen after they agreed to a deal with Jacob Webb. Including Colin Rea, Webb marked the fifth free agent reliever the Cubs have brought into the mix for the 2026 bullpen and now the last closer available on the market is gone.
On Wednesday, former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Pete Fairbanks signed a one-year deal with the Miami Marlins, agreeing to a $13 million contract for next year. Fairbanks, who was on the Cubs' radar going back to the trade deadline in the summer, resurfaced as a target in the offseason after the Rays turned down an $11 million option to retain their closer.
For a while there seemed to be built up momentum between the Cubs and Fairbanks early in free agency, but those rumors turned mum during the past few weeks. Jed Hoyer has pretty much replaced the high-leverage relievers that were in the bullpen to end the 2025 season for the Cubs except for the closer spot.
Right now, it appears as though Daniel Palencia may begin next season as the ninth-inning man and it was certainly great to see him pitch well in high-pressure spots throughout the postseason after Palencia returned from the injured list. Fairbanks, because of his closer experience and contract, looked like the ideal free agent target for the Cubs this offseason to help reinforce the bullpen.
However, there could be a simple reason that the Cubs ultimately passed on Fairbanks and it may also be telling that the 32-year-old didn't sign with any other major contender, especially on the northern part of the country.
Pete Fairbanks can't pitch in the cold?
Fairbanks does suffer from nerve-related issues that have made him lose feeling in his fingertips in the past and Raynaud's syndrome, which impacts the blood flow to the fingers and affects his grip on the ball, typically in cold weather.
These issues have become so severe for Fairbanks in his career that the closer has been forced to miss time on the injured list because of them.
Back in 2022, Fairbanks pitched against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2 of their Wild Card Series and was taken out after only facing two batters because he could not feel his fingers. The temperature at first pitch in Cleveland was 49° F, and following the game Raynaud’s syndrome was first mentioned as the possible issue for Fairbanks.
Then, in 2024, Fairbanks missed three weeks with a nerve-related issue, eventually returning on May 11.
During his dominant stretch between 2020-25, Fairbanks pitched in 119 games indoors. He had a 2.28 ERA in those games. In 135 games pitched outdoor or in a stadium with the roof open, Fairbanks recorded a 3.34 ERA. Still good numbers, but that is a one run jump pitching outdoors for the righty.
Maybe the Cubs didn't feel all too comfortable investing more than $10 million on a closer that may not be able to be counted on when it gets a little too cold outside. Whether that's early-season games at Wrigley Field or needing to overcome the pressure of a playoff game with the possibility that he may lose feeling in his fingers. Not ideal and possibly why Fairbanks is staying in Florida.
