Former Rangers draft pick could solve team's closer problem in 2026

The Texas Rangers thought enough of pitcher Pete Fairbanks to draft him in the ninth round of the 2015 Major League Baseabll Amateur Draft, why not bring him back to Texas?

Unfortunately, after making his way through the organization's farm system and making it to the majors in 2019, he only took the mound for Texas in eight games, throwing just 8.2 innings before being traded away for Tampa Bay Rays minor leaguer Nick Solak.

Now, six years later, they have a realistic shot to bring the imposing six-foot-six, 240-pound closer back to Arlington to fill a huge hole in the bullpen heading into next spring.

The Rays declined Fairbanks' option making him a free agent

On Thursday, the Rays declined the right-hander's $11 million opt-in, instead opting to pay him a $1 million buyout and allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.

This means that the Rangers are one of 29 teams that will be able to acquire the services of one of the most effective closers of the last three seasons.

Since 2022, Fairbanks has collected 90 saves appearing for the Rays in 156 games while registering a 2.98 ERA and striking out 171 over 151 innings.

Rangers need to prioritize a solid closer in 2026

Coming off a disappointing 81-81 season in which the Rangers had the best pitching staff in MLB, the front office is looking to shore up what was the glaring weakness that plagued the team all season long.

They never established a true closer and it ended up costing the team several wins in the late innings of ballgames. Shawn Armstrong came on late, but before that, the team had tried several stopgap options like Robert Garcia, Luke Jackson and Phil Maton.

There are several closer options on the open market. Even several relievers that have been connected to Texas over the last few seasons, including Fairbanks, Kyle Finnegan and Ryan Helsley.

With many true closer options available for the picking, the Rangers should be one of the teams at the front of the line, because the "closer by committee" didn't work last season, and improving in that area needs to top of mind for Skip Schumaker.