The Tampa Bay Rays are going to be heading to the winter meetings soon with an eye on trying to improve heading into 2026. However, one of their free agents might be landing somewhere else more quickly. 

As a team with a low payroll, the Rays always do a strong job of maximizing what they have on the roster. Very rarely will they let an impending free agent finish the campaign without trading them and getting something in return. 

This formula has helped result in them being able to keep a strong farm system with new and younger talent continuously coming in. Shockingly, the team decided to decline the option on their star closer this winter, making him a free agent and not getting anything in return. 

While the option on Pete Fairbanks was going to be expensive, he figured to be a player that the team would have been able to trade this offseason. Now, he is a desirable free agent and could be landing with a new team soon. 

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required) recently wrote about the Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Marlins being the two most likely landing spots for Rays closer Pete Fairbanks in free agency. 

Strong Suitors Emerge