The Phillies acquired one of the top relievers on the market.
Philadelphia landed right-hander Carlos Estevez in a trade with the Angels, the Phillies announced Saturday.
In return, the Angels will receive pitching prospects Sam Aldegheri and George Klassen.
Carlos Estevez throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park on July 24, 2024. Getty Images“He’s one of the best relievers in baseball this past year,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. “He’s a guy that can pitch the ninth inning. How (manager Rob Thomson) determines how he’s going to use him, we’ll see. It wouldn’t surprise me if he gets a lot of ninth innings.”
Estevez, 31, along with the Marlins’ Tanner Scott, were long viewed as the two biggest late-inning relievers likely to be traded before Tuesday’s deadline.
The hurler has 76 saves in 418 appearances, all in relief.
Estevez brings with him a 2.38 ERA, 21 saves and an impressive 6.40 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season, adding to a bullpen that already has All-Star Jeff Hoffman.
Estevez has a $6.75 million salary in the second season of a $13.5 million, two-year contract and can become a free agent after the World Series.
“All this stuff runs through my mind. I know all that will be taken care of,” Estevez said. “I’m glad if I’m going to another place, it’s a place I can get a shot to win a ring. It feels amazing. I’m excited.”
Estevez wields a 96.4 mph fastball, ranking in the 88th percentile in MLB, according to Baseball Savant.
Philadelphia, on Friday, traded hard-throwing reliever Seranthony Dominguez to the Orioles for outfielder Austin Hays.
Carlos Estevez is now heading into the NL East. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY SportsNow, they have what is essentially a replacement — and seemingly an upgrade — in Estevez, who has had an ERA under 4.00 in each of the last three seasons.
Estévez has 20 saves in 23 chances this season, a year after he had 31 saves and was an All-Star for the Angels.
Philadelphia’s bullpen ranked in the middle of the pack in reliever ERA (3.96) heading into Saturday’s play.
The Phillies lost the World Series in 2022 to Houston and lost in the NL Championship Series a year ago to Arizona. They have the best record in baseball at 65-39 but have lost seven of 11 games.
“We are trying to win,” Dombrowski said. “We think he’s a guy that can be a real significant piece of that.”
Philadelphia sent minor league pitchers George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri to the Angels.
As for the Angels, they are getting MLB Pipeline’s Nos. 23 and 28 prospects in Aldegheri and Klassen, respectively.
— with AP
