5 way-too-early NY Mets trade deadline targets to familiarize ourselves with

2) Pete Fairbanks

Taylor Rogers is a potential lefty who could be on the trade market at the deadline, but Pete Fairbanks is a right-handed reliever who could get traded around that same time. The Tampa Bay Rays have sold off many of their core pieces over the last year, and Fairbanks could be one of the next notable names out the door.

Fairbanks pitched 45.1 innings out of the Rays’ bullpen, working to a 3.57 ERA, 3.50 FIP, and 1.17 WHIP. Fairbanks struck out 23.8% of opponents with a 9.2% walk rate. The right-handed reliever has always been effective at limiting home runs and had a 0.79 HR/9 with a 5.6% barrel percentage (albeit with an 89.1 MPH exit velo). Fairbanks displayed great stuff on the mound as well, with a 126 Stuff+ rating.

Although his 2024 season was not bad, Fairbanks has a much better resume. Over his previous three seasons, Fairbanks owned a 2.65 ERA, 2.31 FIP, and 1.10 WHIP across 112 innings of work. He carried a 9.6% free pass rate but had an astounding 35.7% K%. He had the 8th highest K% among hurlers with 100+ IP out of the pen from 2021 through 2023. Fairbanks was even better at limiting homers and hard contact with a 0.48 HR/9, 87 MPH exit velocity, and 4.8% barrel rate.

Fairbanks is only owed about $3.67 million in 2025, making him a very affordable arm, but he is not just a rental. Fairbanks also comes with a $7 million team option for 2026. Even if he only pitches to his 2024 level, that could be a huge steal in terms of salary. Fairbanks also has plenty of experience in high-leverage, as he’s recorded over 20 saves the previous two seasons.