Aug 21, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Carlos Estevez (53) celebrates after a victory over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Brett Davis
Carlos Estévez is drawing interest from the New York Yankees, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.
Carlos Estévez is among the (many) free agent relievers in whom the Yankees have interest as the offseason begins. @MLBNetwork https://t.co/WVJTj1EqKn
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 8, 2024
The Phillies acquired Estévez from the Los Angeles Angels prior to the trade deadline, and he became their de-facto closer. Estévez posted a 2.57 ERA across 20 regular-season appearances with the Phillies, and his jovial personality made him an instant hit in the clubhouse. But his 3.83 FIP and the fact that he gave up two or more hits in three of his final six appearances during the regular season proved be more of a precursor of what was to come in the NLDS.
In the bottom of the eighth inning of Game 3 of the NLDS against the New York Mets, Estévez gave up an RBI double to Francisco Lindor. This insurance run — which increased New York's lead to 7-2 — allowed them to avoid using closer Edwin Diáz, who had an insane workload down the stretch.
In Game 4 of the NLDS, Estévez inherited a bases-loaded-no-out jam from Jeff Hoffman in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Phillies were leading 1-0, though it was probably unrealistic to think Estévez would escape that inning unscathed. However, after recording one out on a groundout, he threw a 99 mph fastball at the top of the zone that Lindor hit for a grand slam, giving the Mets a 4-1 lead and essentially putting the series on ice.
“I knew it [was gone] right away,” Estévez said after the game. “I knew I wanted to go a little higher on the pitch. Unfortunately, it was more like middle-away, instead of up-and-away. And as soon as he hit it, I knew he hit it really well.”
SLAMCISCO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/le3temNIK7
— New York Mets (@Mets) October 9, 2024
Following the Phillies being eliminated from the postseason, Estévez was asked whether he hoped to return to the Phillies in 2025.
“I mean, hopefully. It would be great,” Estévez said. “But let’s see, you know how it is.”
Phillies' president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski suggested in his year-end press conference that the club probably wouldn't re-sign both Estévez and Hoffman. It would seem that Hoffman — who struggled mightily in the postseason, but also had a 2.73 ERA across 122 games for the Phillies between 2023 and 2024 — would be the more likely of the two to return. It's also possible that Hoffman prices his way out of what the Phillies are willing to spend, and they either circle back to Estévez or just look elsewhere.
There’s ‘Industry Buzz’ Jeff Hoffman Could Draw Interest As Starter in Free Agency, per @kileymcd | @OnPattison https://t.co/r8MwOGSp4T
The good news for the Phillies is that there are quite a few relievers to pick through on the free-agent market this offseason in addition to Estévez and Hoffman. Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, Clay Holmes, A.J. Minter, Kirby Yates, Andrew Kittredge, Tommy Kahnle, David Robertson, Kenley Jansen, Aroldis Chapman and José Leclerc are among the free-agent relievers that could become options for the Phillies if one or both of Estévez and Hoffman departs.
