Given that he and Fairbanks likely crossed paths while they were both in Tampa, a possible reunion could be in the cards.
Fairbanks is coming off back-to-back seasons where he saw his strikeout number plummet. After posting a 13.5 K/9 in 2023, he put up consecutive sub-9.0s the following two years. He could be looking for a one-year deal this offseason to try to rebuild some of his value, and that’s where Miami could pounce.
Williams’s year in New York was nothing short of a disappointment. After being acquired by the Yankees before the start of the season, he put up career-worsts in ERA, K/9, HR/9, and LOB%.
Unfortunately for him, the season also got progressively worse. After posting a 3.69 ERA in the first half, it was a 5.93 ERA in the second. He wasn’t always trusted in high-leverage situations, and his struggles forced the Yankees to make multiple trades at the deadline for back-end arms.
Williams might still be searching for a multi-year deal, but it should be in a range where the Marlins could be players.
After being traded to the Mets, Helsley’s season really took a turn for the worse. However, even though the last image we have of him on the mound is a negative one, he is only one year removed from a year where he was arguably the best relief pitcher in all of baseball, ending the year with 49 saves.