The Philadelphia Phillies have signed Carlos Estévez to bolster their bullpen, and he is expected to be one of the best free agents on the market as the offseason begins.
MLB insider Jim Bowden, a former general manager who writes for The Athletic, recently ranked his top 50 free agents for the offseason, and Estevez – who wasn’t even with the Phillies a month ago – ranked 22nd.
San Diego closer Tanner Scott – who himself was traded from Miami at the deadline – was the only closer ahead of him at No. 18.
Philadelphia traded two of the organization’s 30 best young players, pitchers George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri, to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Estévez on July 27.
At that point, the 31-year-old had converted 20 of 23 saves. That was a hefty price for a player who could only stay with the Phillies until October.
Since joining the Phillies, he has converted just 1 of 2 save opportunities, but is 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA. He has not allowed a single earned run in his first five appearances with Philadelphia.
At least one insider, Michael Brakebill of FanSided, recently wrote that the Phillies will likely be able to re-sign him in the offseason. He also wrote that Estévez will likely test free agency first.
Since breaking through with the Colorado Rockies in 2016, the right-hander has made 426 appearances in the major leagues, all as a relief pitcher, but he did not become a full-time closer until he signed with the Angels ahead of the 2022 season.
With Colorado in 2021, he saved 11 games on 17 chances and 15 holds. The next season, he slipped back into the set-up role, as he had 13 holds and two saves on just six chances.
For the Angels in 2023, he was the mainstay in the bullpen with 31 saves in 35 chances, going 5-5 with a 3.90 ERA. He struck out 78 and walked 31. He was selected to the American League All-Star team mid-season.
In his career, he is 25-30 with a 4.27 ERA, 77 saves in 107 chances and 65 holds. He has 432 strikeouts and 156 walks.
The Dominican Republic native signed with the Rockies as an international free agent in 2011 at the age of 18. He was so highly regarded in the Colorado organization that when he became eligible for the Rule 5 Draft, the Rockies placed him on their 40-man roster, making him ineligible for selection. He was called up to the majors the following year.
