The Philadelphia Phillies have already seen one of their key relievers depart this offseason, with Jeff Hoffman signing a three-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Now, another prominent bullpen arm, Carlos Estevez, appears to be on the verge of leaving as well.
Acquired from the Los Angeles Angels ahead of last July’s trade deadline, Estevez quickly became a vital late-inning option for manager Rob Thomson. He built on a strong season with the Angels, finishing 2024 with 54 appearances, 55 innings pitched, a 2.45 ERA, a 0.909 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts. The only blemish on his otherwise excellent season was his struggles against Mets star Francisco Lindor in the postseason, though few pitchers consistently contained Lindor during the playoffs.
As many top relief pitchers have recently signed deals—including Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates with the Dodgers and Hoffman with the Blue Jays—Estevez’s market has started to heat up. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, one team to watch is the Cincinnati Reds, who reportedly engaged in talks with Estevez on the night of January 22.
If the Reds manage to sign Estevez, he could form a dynamic duo with closer Alexis Díaz, who already boasts 75 saves in 190 career appearances and was an All-Star in 2023. However, competition for Estevez’s services is likely, as he’s arguably the best remaining reliever on the market and is expected to command a multi-year deal.
Among other interested teams, the Chicago Cubs could use an experienced late-game arm, while the Baltimore Orioles—who showed interest in Hoffman and Scott—may also be contenders. The San Francisco Giants, with available payroll and bullpen needs, and the Washington Nationals, looking to bolster their pitching staff, could also be in the mix. Where Estevez ultimately lands remains to be seen, but his addition would undoubtedly strengthen any team’s bullpen.
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