In a week heated with comparisons between Philadelphia and Kansas City, the Kansas City Royals signed a former Phil in reliever Carlos Estévez, as reported by Jon Heyman on Wednesday. Estevez will sign on for a two-year deal with a club option.
A Short Stint in Philadelphia
The Phillies acquired Estevez in July 2024 in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels for minor leaguers George Klassen and Sam Aldegheri. Estevez was nearing the end of a two-year, $13.5 million contract with the Angels.
During his tenure with the Phillies, Estevez served in the back end of the bullpen as the de facto closer. In addition to his six saves, Estevez logged 21.0 innings of work, striking out 18 batters and pitching for a strong 2.57 ERA. Esteves also made three appearances in the National League Division Series.
Despite a respectable 3.38 ERA in the NLDS, his postseason, as well as his entire tenure with the Phillies, will be remembered by his appearance in Game 4. With the bases loaded and the Phillies holding a small 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth, Carlos entered with one out face Francisco Lindor of the Mets. Lindor connected on a 99-mph fastball, taking it into right-center field, demolishing the Phillies’ postseason with a grand slam as the Mets defeated the Phillies 4-1.
New Beginnings for the Estevez
Nearly four months later, Estevez will look to put that pitch behind him as he signs on with the Royals to reinforce their bullpen. Entering his age-32 season, he has a strong pedigree as a reliever and has 82 career saves to his name. A Wild Card team in 2024, the Royals will look to topple the Cleveland Guardians for control of the AL Central in 2025.
The Phillies, meanwhile, will look to their new bullpen additions like Jordan Romano and Joe Ross to fill the gap left by the departures of Estevez and Jeff Hoffman.
Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
