The Toronto Blue Jays are eyeing some major upgrades and additions this winter. After signing Dylan Cease to a $210 million contract over seven years, the Blue Jays’ spending isn’t expected to stop.
Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker are still strong possibilities for the Blue Jays, but there are other areas of the roster that Toronto is looking to improve.
According to Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Blue Jays are showing interest in a former AL East closer who had a 2.83 ERA in 2025. The veteran right-hander, Pete Fairbanks, is one of the best available free agent closers left on the market.
Blue Jays interested in former Rays closer Pete Fairbanks
“With Ryan Helsley off the market, Pete Fairbanks might be the next closer to sign.” Rosenthal and Woo write. “The Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Marlins are among the teams interested in him.”
Toronto had some bullpen issues in the World Series, and adding Fairbanks, a closer who’s been one of the best in recent seasons, would be a quality addition to the bullpen.
While their division rival, the Baltimore Orioles, signed Ryan Helsley, the Blue Jays could answer by signing Fairbanks in free agency.
More: MLB insider reports Blue Jays ‘salivating’ at chance to sign All-Star 3.20 ERA starter
In 2025, Fairbanks had a 2.85 ERA in 61 outings for the Tampa Bay Rays. He had 27 saves, a new career high, and also posted 60.1 innings pitched, another career high for the 31-year-old reliever.
Fairbanks will be 32 years old at the start of the 2026 season, and shouldn’t cost the Blue Jays too much to bring him to Toronto. He would be a great pickup for the Blue Jays, as he would help the shaky bullpen round into form for another push to win the World Series.
More Blue Jays News:
