The Chicago Cubs are exploring options to improve the back end of their bullpen by targeting Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks and Baltimore Orioles setup man Seranthony Dominguez, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. This interest comes amid Tampa Bay’s reluctance to trade Fairbanks, a stance echoed by recent reports from The Athletic’s Will Sammon, Katie Woo, and Patrick Mooney, who confirm that while the Rays prefer to keep Fairbanks, they remain open to listening to trade inquiries.

Seranthony Dominguez’s Performance and Contract Status

Seranthony Dominguez has emerged as a logical candidate to help the Cubs’ bullpen needs. Currently earning $8 million in the final year of his club control, Dominguez will become a free agent at the conclusion of the season. The 30-year-old right-hander is completing his first full season with Baltimore after being acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies last year. Through 40 2/3 innings, Dominguez has maintained a solid 3.32 ERA alongside an impressive 31% strikeout rate.

In his role, Dominguez has been a key setup presence for Orioles closer Félix Bautista, recording 13 holds and two saves. His fastball velocity has been notably strong, averaging 97.7 mph on his four-seam fastball and 97.9 mph on his sinker, which highlights his ability to challenge hitters effectively.

Challenges with Dominguez’s Control This Season

Despite his strengths, Dominguez has struggled significantly with control throughout 2025. His walk rate has soared to 14%, the highest of his career, and he has issued nine wild pitches as well. These difficulties contrast sharply with the Cubs’ bullpen, which currently ranks near the bottom in strikeout rate at 20.1%, placing fourth-lowest in Major League Baseball. Given how crucial strikeouts are, especially in postseason play, bolstering this aspect is a priority for Chicago’s relief staff.

Details on Pete Fairbanks’ Contract and Performance Trends

Pete Fairbanks is another bullpen arm the Cubs see as a potential upgrade. He is earning slightly above $3.8 million this year and has a club option for 2026 that starts at $7 million but can escalate to $8 million as he meets certain performance milestones. So far, Fairbanks has already boosted this option value through various escalators tied to games finished and total appearances from 2023 to 2025.

The 31-year-old has closed 29 games this season and can increase the option value by $500,000 more for every additional games finished threshold he reaches, along with $1 million bumps for total appearances milestones. Currently, he is just one game shy of reaching 135 combined appearances over the past three seasons, making it likely the option could rise to approximately $11.5 million if he stays healthy.

Injury History and Declining Strikeout Rates for Fairbanks

Although Fairbanks has historically generated strikeouts at a level similar to Dominguez, his 2025 strikeout rate has dipped to a career-low 20.3%. His injury history includes stints with shoulder, lat, forearm, and hip issues over the last five seasons. His four-seam fastball velocity has declined from an elite 99 mph early in his career to about 97.3 mph in recent years. This drop has naturally reduced his swinging-strike rate, although his fastball velocity remains well above the league average, and he continues to get outs efficiently.

This season, Fairbanks has pitched 38 innings with a strong 2.84 ERA and has successfully converted 17 of 20 save opportunities. Aside from his 21-inning rookie year, Fairbanks has never exceeded a 3.59 ERA in any full season, and his current ERA closely mirrors his 2.88 mark dating back to 2020.

Cubs’ Broader Bullpen Context and Emerging Talent

Dominguez and Fairbanks represent just two among several bullpen options the Cubs are evaluating as they look to shore up a relief unit with mixed results. Chicago’s bullpen holds a respectable 10th place in MLB with a 3.78 ERA, yet the staff ranks 27th in strikeout rate. They also rate 15th in FIP (4.05) and 24th in SIERA (3.98), indicating underlying weaknesses, especially in generating swings and misses.

Younger pitchers like emerging closer Daniel Palencia and veteran Brad Keller provide hope, each showing plus velocity. Palencia’s fastball sits at an imposing 99.5 mph, while Keller maintains a strong 97.1 mph average. However, most of the bullpen, aside from the injured Porter Hodge, has average or below-average velocity, which contributes to subdued strikeout numbers in many cases.

What the Cubs’ Pursuit of Fairbanks and Dominguez Means Moving Forward

The interest in Pete Fairbanks and Seranthony Dominguez underscores the Cubs’ commitment to addressing one of their most pressing roster needs: enhancing the strikeout capabilities and overall effectiveness of the bullpen. Given the importance of relievers with swing-and-miss potential, especially in tight playoff games, acquiring players of this caliber could be a major step forward.

Although Tampa Bay remains hesitant to trade Fairbanks, the ongoing dialogue signals that the Cubs are serious contenders for bullpen upgrades. Meanwhile, Dominguez’s impending free agency and affordable contract status make him an attractive short-term option. Moving forward, Chicago will likely continue exploring multiple avenues to transform their relief pitching, emphasizing players who can produce strong strikeout numbers and provide end-game reliability.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. How fast does Pete Fairbanks throw?

A. In 2025, they mainly used their Fourseam Fastball at 97 mph and Slider at 85 mph, with some Change at 94 mph. When compared to other right-handed pitchers, their Fourseam Fastball is extremely straight and fast. It also leads to slightly more groundballs than their peers’ fastballs.

Q. What happened to Pete Fairbanks’ daughter?

A. Pete Fairbanks, who plays baseball for the Tampa Bay Rays, and his wife Lydia experienced a deep loss. Their daughter, Ellis, passed away at nearly 20 weeks of pregnancy because of a condition called Turner Syndrome. Losing a child brings a profound sadness that cannot be matched.

Q. How old was Pete Fairbanks’ daughter when she passed away?

A. Lydia and Pete Fairbanks, a pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays, lost their daughter Ellis nearly 20 weeks into pregnancy because of Turner Syndrome.