Phillies linked to ex-Rays righty amid interest in setup role for Jhoan Duran

Matt Sullivan

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Phillies linked to ex-Rays righty amid interest in setup role for Jhoan Duran image

The Philadelphia Phillies are not done in their spending or adding this winter after re-signing Kyle Schwarber to a $150 million deal.

While the outfield needs some help, and a catcher needs to be added, the bullpen is one area that's expected to change as the season approaches.

According to Jim Salisbury of PHLY during an appearance on Foul Territory, the Phillies are looking to add a setup reliever in front of Jhoan Duran this winter. Depending on how much money the Phillies have left, a former Tampa Bay Rays righty reliever is someone who would make sense for the Phillies.

Phillies linked to ex-Rays reliever to set up Jhoan Duran

"They would like to address that setup area," Salisbury said. "A guy like Fairbanks would make a lot of sense, where they are budget-wise."

Pete Fairbanks, the former Rays reliever, has been in the Major Leagues for seven seasons and has spent the majority with the Rays. In Tampa Bay, Fairbanks has a 2.98 ERA in 267 games since the 2019 season.

In 2025, Fairbanks had a 2.83 ERA in 61 appearances with 27 saves and 59 strikeouts in 60.1 innings pitched. He's not typically a high-volume reliever; this past season was the first time he's pitched more than 45.1 innings in a season.

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But, with Jhoan Duran locking down the closer role, Fairbanks won't have a lot on his plate in 2026 if the Phillies do wind up signing him.

Their one-year deal for Jordan Romano last offseason was a disaster, but Fairbanks could be a quality addition to the back-end of the bullpen, providing insurance and a setup option for the Phillies out of the bullpen.

Salisbury does mention that the Phillies' contracts could make this a tricky contract to fit onto the payroll, but if they can make it work, Fairbanks would make a lot of sense.

He's going to be 32 years old at the start of the season, and while he might not be as dominant as other relievers, as a setup man for Duran, he could be a great pickup to bolster the right-handed side of the pitching staff.

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Staff Writer