6 minutes ago

Rays Decline Pete Fairbanks’ $11M Option; Closer Hits Free Agency

Tampa Bay declined Fairbanks’ $11 million club option, sending the three-year closer to free agency. The 30-year-old logged 27 saves with a 2.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP last season. Bullpen bidders likely loom: Dodgers, Mets, Blue Jays, Phillies, Red Sox, Cubs. For cost-cutting Rays, it frees payroll but leaves a ninth-inning void after years of above-average contention.