Rays' late-inning stopper could solve Reds' bullpen problem

The Cincinnati Reds clearly on want to bolster their bullpen ahead of the 2025 MLB trade deadline. The Reds already dumped Alexis Diaz in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this season, and they've been trying to fill that spot in the bullpen ever since.

Cincinnati has used pitchers like Lyon Richardson, Luis Mey, and others, but no one seems capable of helping Tony Santillan and Emilio Pagán at the backend of the bullpen. Graham Ashcraft has shown flashes, but the Reds really need reliable addition at the trade deadline to help balance out of the relief corps.

The list of available relievers is a long one, so who should the Reds pounce on? Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Pete Fairbanks, a 31-year-old flamethrower who's reinvented himself, shouldn't come with too a steep price tag, but other clubs will be interested.

Reds should pursue trade for Rays' Pete Fairbanks ahead of MLB trade deadline

Signed through 2025 with a team-option for the 2026 season, Fairbanks is not as pricey as other closers around the league. Fairbanks provides a ton of value, and will have plenty of teams interested in trading for him at the deadline. The Reds would be wise to be include themselves among the pack.

Fairbanks used to be a strikeout-machine. He posted 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings pitched in 2022 and 13.5 in 2022. But he's not that type of pitcher anymore, yet he'd still be a solid addition to the Reds bullpen.

Fairbanks logged 65 saves during the last two-and-a-half seasons, and has 17 this year behind a 2.84 ERA and a 1.113 WHIP. Fairbanks relies mostly on his fastball, which can reach triple digits, but his slider and changeup are just as filthy.

A move to the National League shouldn't be much of a problem either. Fairbanks owns a 3.12 ERA against NL opponents, which spans 60⅔ innings. He's struck out 67 batters over that stretch with a 9-3 record and 26 saves. Against the NL Central's best — Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers — Fairbanks has allowed no runs on just one hit with four punch outs in four appearances.

There's less than week left until the trade deadline passes, and the Reds might not find a better bullpen upgrade than Fairbanks.

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