With the offseason underway, the Tampa Bay Rays have been very busy so far with a plethora of moves to try to improve this team for 2026.
Coming into the winter, adding depth was a priority for the team. This was an area that the team might have been lacking a bit in 2025, and when injuries hit, they were exposed. So far, that appears to be the plan of attack to start the winter, but there are still plenty of other things to try and accomplish.
While the team has a good chunk of their core returning, they do have a few positions that need to be addressed. Whether that comes via a trade or free agency, Tampa Bay knows that they will have to improve in order to compete in the American League East.
At the start of the offseason, the team did lose a significant piece to free agency on their own surprising decision. Now, even though they could have dealt him, he has emerged as one of the better free-agent relief pitchers.
Mark Feinsand of MLB recently ranked all of the free agents into tiers, and for Rays closer Pete Fairbanks, he came in ranked in the third tier, right in the middle of the pack.
Fairbanks Will Have Plenty of Suitors