Watching this year's postseason only confirms the belief that contending teams need a trustworthy bullpen to make a deep run in October. Atlanta Braves fans know exactly how a dominant bullpen can spark a postseason run as memories of "The Night Shift" are still fresh from 20221. However, the current list of names in Atlanta's bullpen under contract for 2026 lacks real star power.
On top of that, the Braves' closer for the past three seasons is set to become a free agent. Plenty of guys can fill the Raisel Iglesias role in 2026, including the man himself, but who will ultimately be the guy that anchors the Braves 'pen next season? According to Bleacher Report the answer may be a well known bullpen stud that has resided in Tampa Bay the last six years.
Pete Fairbanks, Mean 96mph Changeup. 👌 pic.twitter.com/n8lm6TGokb
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 2, 2025
Bleacher Report names Pete Fairbanks as top trade target for the Braves
The latest article from Bleacher Report details potential trades for every team in MLB this offseason, and the Braves potential target listed Pete Fairbanks of the Tampa Bay Rays. If you have followed the Tampa Bay Rays at all over the last few seasons you likely know how effective Pete Fairbanks has been. However, Fairbanks is owed $12.5 million in 2026 should his club option be picked up and with Tampa Bay being known for operating on a low payroll the Braves could be the perfect team to partner with on a trade.
Fairbanks set a career high in appearances (61), innings (60.1), and saves (27) in 2025. His 2.83 ERA and 1.2 bWAR once again anchored the Rays bullpen. Fairbanks would be a great fit for the closer role in Atlanta, and acquiring him shouldn't cost a great deal given the money he is owed. Fairbanks features a fastball that averaged 97.3 mph in 2025 and excelled in limiting barrels. His 4.8% barrel rate was good enough to place him in the 93rd percentile for all pitchers in 2025.
The big right-hander would offer some much needed variety in Atlanta's bullpen thanks to his funky over-the-top arm angle and ability to light up a radar gun. Alex Anthopoulos was oddly quiet when constructing his bullpen last winter. Perhaps this offseason will feature some more splash moves for Atlanta's bullpen, and trading for Fairbanks wouldn't be a bad place to start.