With Pete Fairbanks almost certainly not returning in 2027, the Fish need to formulate a free agency plan to fill that role for next season
It's almost presumed at this point that the Miami Marlins won't attempt to retain the services of closer Pete Fairbanks after the season ends, so the team will likely give the free agent market a look for an answer.
Fairbanks, who has had success in the past with the Tampa Bay Rays franchise, signed a one-year, $13 million contract with Miami during the offseason and looked like the answer. Unfortunately for the 32-year-old right-hander, he has floundered with the Fish, posting a 4-5 record with 19 saves. To be fair, while the bullpen has blown 20 saves this year, he's only responsible for four of them.
At the same time, Fairbanks' whopping 6.10 ERA and recent season-ending injury likely spell the end of his time in South Florida. In essence, he's a 'one-and-done' player in terms of wearing a Marlins uniform when his contract expires at season's end.
That leaves the club and president of baseball operations Peter Bendix in a position to potentially plunder the player pool for a closer in free agency. And aren't really a lot of reliable choices a lot to choose from.
Of the relievers who will be open to moving in the offseason, eight have 50 career Major League saves: One is Fairbanks. Two others (Kenley Jansen with 496 career saves and Aroldis Chapman with 400) have options for 2027. And a couple more, David Bednar and Raul Iglesias, likely aren't in the price range the team is willing to pay.
However, three names will be available that could be a short-term fix for the team in 2027.
Three for the Fish
Paul Sewald, who can depart the Toronto Blue Jays in the offseason, would be a bounce-back type reliever and, therefore, an affordable signing for Miami. He was DFA'd by the Arizona Diamondbacks and resurfaced with the Toronto Blue Jays to finish out the year.
Sewald is currently 36, and despite posting a 5.04 ERA this season, the veteran still has 24 saves. He also has a track record of signing short-term deals, something that would fit Bendix's 'youth-first' blueprint. A stopgap for a season or so gives the Fish a chance to audition an up-and-coming arm.
Current Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Kirby Yates, 39, actually has decent numbers this year and would be another lower-year, lower-money contract for the club. He hasn't closed this year, but he's been in that spot before.
In 2026, Yates has posted a 2-5 mark, with three saves and a 3.40 ERA, 47 strikeouts in 39.2 innings, and a 1.21 WHIP. So he might be the most reliable of the three.
The Philadelphia Phillies' Jose Alvarado could be the wild card. The lefty is just 31 years old and has great stuff. At the same time, his recent season numbers make him a big question mark. He has posted a 5.40 ERA this season. He would have to show marked improvement on that figure in Spring Training to be the guy who turns the lights out on the opposition.
If Miami wants to plug their late-inning hole, they could easily look to the proven experience with Sewald, veteran steadiness with Yates, and higher upside with a reclamation shot on Alvarado. Any of those names would stand to fare better, and perhaps be a steadier option, than what we have seen displayed in the 2026 campaign.
