With the free agent market for relief pitchers heating up, the Philadelphia Phillies and three American League East teams have expressed interest in signing one of MLB's top closers.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Tuesday that a "half dozen teams" including the Toronto Blue Jays have interest in right-hander Carlos Estevez, who split last season between the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies.
The five mystery teams, according to Hector Gomez of Z101 Digital, include the Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees.
Estevez had 26 saves and a 2.45 ERA in 54 appearances last season. Across the last two seasons combined, Estevez has struck out 128 batters in 117.1 innings, recording a 3.22 ERA and 57 saves.
The Halos traded Estevez to the Phillies when they fell out of contention last July. At the time, Estevez had not allowed an earned run in nearly two months.
Estevez signed a two-year contract with the Angels in Dec. 2022 for a relatively inexpensive $13.5 million contract. Now that he has demonstrated experience closing in the heat of a playoff race, Estevez is likely to command a higher salary in his next deal.
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Estevez figures to be among the most coveted relievers in a free-agent crop that includes right-handers Kenley Jansen, Craig Kimbrel, Kirby Yates, and Jeff Hoffman, as well as left-hander Tanner Scott.
The market for relievers appears to be heating up. Earlier Tuesday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that the Mets met with Scott.
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The Phillies are unlikely to bring back both Hoffman — who has been suggested as a candidate to return to a starter's role — and Estevez as they look to avenge their Division Series round exit in 2024.
The Yankees (Clay Holmes) and Blue Jays (Jordan Romano) have both seen important members of their bullpens switch teams this winter. Boston got 27 saves in 54 appearances last season from Jansen, who could be looking to return to the postseason after missing out the last two years.
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Estevez, who turned 32 in December, is 27-31 in 438 career games, in a career that began in 2016 with the Colorado Rockies. The native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic made his first All-Star team in 2023 with the Angels.
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