{"id":89185,"date":"2024-11-08T18:53:46","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T23:53:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=89185"},"modified":"2024-11-08T18:53:46","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T23:53:46","slug":"carlos-estevez-highly-coveted-free-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/11\/08\/carlos-estevez-highly-coveted-free-agent\/","title":{"rendered":"Closer Expected To Be Highly Coveted Free Agent"},"content":{"rendered":"

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Carlos Est\u00e9vez<\/a> is going to be a highly coveted free agent. The Phillies acquired Est\u00e9vez from<\/a> the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline. Now, he is one of the top free agents in the bullpen market. Jeff Hoffman<\/a> is also a free agent, making the bullpen a top need<\/a> for the Phillies this offseason. Spotrac projects<\/a> that Est\u00e9vez will receive a three-year contract worth $42.048 million. He could either be a closer for a team or serve in a setup role. In his career, Est\u00e9vez has 82 saves as well as 64 holds. He might ultimately remain with the Phillies, but that is dependent on what happens with Hoffman.<\/p>\n

In 2024, Est\u00e9vez recorded a 4-5 record with a 2.45 ERA, a 3.24 FIP, and 26 saves. He also recorded a career-best 5.7% walk rate last season to go with a 23.6% strikeout rate. However, after joining the Phillies, Est\u00e9vez saw his strikeout rate decrease while his walk rate increased. Overall, he had a career-best .191 batting average against in 2024, and his 0.909 WHIP was also a career-best. Est\u00e9vez was named an All-Star in 2023, and in most categories, he improved on his 2023 numbers last season.<\/p>\n

Potential Landing Spots For Free Agent Reliever Carlos Est\u00e9vez<\/h2>\n

Kansas City Royals<\/h3>\n

MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand mentioned<\/a> the Royals as a potential fit for Est\u00e9vez. Pairing him with Lucas Erceg<\/a> would improve the Royals bullpen. Will Smith<\/a> is a free agent, so there might be an open spot for Est\u00e9vez in 2025. The Royals are a team on the rise and they should try and capitalize on this championship window. Est\u00e9vez and Erceg in the same bullpen would give the Royals flexibility with the closer role. The Royals could use a high-leverage relief pitcher like Est\u00e9vez to get to the next level, as they hope to be contenders for a long time.<\/p>\n

New York Yankees<\/h3>\n
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Carlos Est\u00e9vez is among the (many) free agent relievers in whom the Yankees have interest as the offseason begins. @MLBNetwork<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/WVJTj1EqKn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 8, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n