The Atlanta Braves are fresh off a pretty disastrous regular season, where they missed the playoffs altogether and had just 76 wins. However, the offseason provides a great opportunity for the Braves' front office to make necessary changes to the roster in order to ensure another failure doesn't happen in 2026.
It's safe to say the Braves' top wish-list item this offseason is pitching. Whether it's a few depth starters or major bullpen help, Atlanta needs to address its pitching staff. Luckily for them, they are being encouraged to trade for a closer this offseason that could drastically improve the bullpen.
Braves linked to trading for the Rays' Pete Fairbanks
It is expected that the Tampa Bay Rays move on from Pete Fairbanks this offseason by way of a trade. He was rumored to be on the move before the 2025 trade deadline, but ended up staying put.
In a recent trade predictions piece by Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller, the Braves are urged to trade for a closer, and Pete Fairbanks is the name that could be a top target:
"Atlanta Braves: A Trade for a Closer
Prime Target: Tampa Bay's Pete Fairbanks ($12.5M club option)"
"Over the past three seasons, Raisel Iglesias saved 96 games for Atlanta. Now that he's a free agent, though, the ninth inning is a big question mark. Joe Jiménez after he missed all of 2025 due to knee surgery? Pierce Johnson with 16 career saves, most of which came while posting a 6.00 ERA with the Rockies in 2023?"
The Braves have a lot of questions to answer about their bullpen, but trading for Fairbanks would be a step in the right direction. Raisel Iglesias had a strong finish to the 2025 season, but it's unclear if Atlanta will want to commit to him being the closer for another season.
Fairbanks posted a 2.83 ERA in 60.1 innings this season and closed out 27 games. He has 20+ saves in each of the last three seasons. If the Braves trade for Fairbanks, they could certainly take on the $12.5 million option on his contract, and then figure out what they want to do with him after the 2026 season concludes.
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Rangers' 2.18 ERA starter could be great fit for Atlanta Braves in free agency