Three Landing Spots for Rays Closer After Recent Trade Prediction
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With it appearing that the New York Yankees may run away with the AL East division championship, the rest of the teams in the division may need to start plan on being sellers at this season's trade deadline.
That includes the Tampa Bay Rays, who have been predicted by Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter as sellers, with their most likely trade piece being closer Pete Fairbanks. If the Rays do decide to move him, here are three potential landing spots.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 16: Pete Fairbanks #29 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after a strike out ends the game for the 8-6 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 16,...
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 16: Pete Fairbanks #29 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after a strike out ends the game for the 8-6 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 16, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. MoreAtlanta Braves
Atlanta has been one of the best stories in baseball over the last month, as it has scratched and clawed back to a .500 record after beginning the year 0-7. A bit of a weak spot still for the Braves is the bullpen.
Rasiel Iglesias is the current closer in Atlanta and he is having one of the worst seasons of his career. Iglesias has a 5.71 ERA and is 7-for-10 on save chances.
He's already allowed six home runs this season, two more than he allowed all of last season in 69 1/3 innings pitched. Making a move for Fairbanks would allow Iglesias to move to the 8th inning role and regain his confidence before what Atlanta hopes is a deep postseason run this season.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago has been one of the best teams in all of baseball this season, and if it had a halfway decent bullpen, it would be considered a true contender in the National League.
The offseason acquisition of Ryan Pressly has not worked out the way the Cubs had hoped it would. He has a 6.91 ERA and just seven strikeouts in 16 appearances and 14 1/3 innings pitched.
The acquisition of a closer feels like a much-needed move and Fairbanks could fill that need nicely and help improve a Chicago bullpen that ranks No. 28 in Wins Above Average from relief pitchers.
San Francisco Giants
San Francisco already has one of the best bullpens in the league and the addition of Fairbanks to that bullpen would make the Giants true competitors to the Padres and Dodgers in the NL West.
Fairbanks could join a bullpen that ranks third in Wins Above Average from relief pitchers and features both Camilio Doval (1.37 ERA, five saves) and Ryan Walker (seven saves).
It is unclear if San Francisco is looking for bullpen help and if they are, Fairbanks could be a viable option for a team hoping to win its first division title since 2021.
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