The Phillies have interest in Angels closer Carlos Estévez, reports Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Halos are expected to trade the hard-throwing righty before next Tuesday’s deadline.
Estévez has had an excellent season. He’s running a 2.38 ERA over 34 innings. Estévez has fanned nearly 26% of batters faced while keeping his walk rate to a pristine 4% clip. He has locked down 20 of 23 save opportunities and is running a remarkable streak. Opponents haven’t plated a run since May 21. Estévez has rattled off 18 straight scoreless outings, allowing a grand total of five baserunners (three singles and two walks) in that time.
The Halos signed the former Rockies setup man to a two-year, $13.5MM deal over the 2022-23 offseason. While he scuffled down the stretch last season and had a few shaky appearances this April, that has generally been an excellent investment. Estévez has held the ninth inning throughout his time in Los Angeles and carries a 3.36 ERA across 96 1/3 frames with the Halos. His 27.2% strikeout rate over that stretch is more very good than elite, but he’s a power arm who has shown dramatically improved control this season.
Estévez is headed back to the open market at season’s end. While the Angels have played their way back to within eight games in the AL West, they’re 12 games under .500 and not a realistic playoff contender. There’s little reason to hang onto their impending free agents of value, a group headlined by their closer.
Philadelphia is likely to add some kind of late-inning help. They’ve also been tied to Marlins southpaw Tanner Scott and Washington’s Kyle Finnegan in recent weeks. José Alvarado, Orion Kerkering and Gregory Soto have each been inconsistent, leaving the Phils with some questions in the late innings aside from All-Star righty Jeff Hoffman.
I like Estevez with the Phillies that would be a good fit to help close games or set up games
Platoon with Alvarado for closer? I wouldn’t know what innings he would appear in as a Phillie but it’s the last arm the Phillies need
Can someone please explain to me why Hoffman isn’t the closer? He’s been lights out and gets saves here and there, I don’t understand it as a non Phillies fan
As a Phillies fan, I echo your sentiment. Hoffman should be the closer
Part of me feels like they might be trying to suppress his earnings by keeping him as a setup. It’ll be easier to resign him and eventually have him close for cheap
Suppress his earnings? He’s going to be 32 and free agent.
Right, because he’ll be able to command more if he heads into free agency with 30+ saves during his platform year. The angels were willing to give Robert Stephenson a 3 yr 33 million contract and he was just a setup guy. Closers are going to get paid more on the open market and Hoffman may not have the closing experience to command closer money when the season is over
Arb cares about save numbers. The number of saves are meaningless when it comes to free agency. He will get paid well if he maintains his performance, counting stats don’t matter. Just like how stephenson’s entire career up until he played for the rays didn’t matter when he signed his deal.
Wizcards – I like Rob Thompson but he dead set on match-ups for closing games. This worked in the first half of the season, but now, no so much.
I do not care if they make Hoffman the closer or get someone really, but any way you look at it, we need people in the pen badly. Two of the last 6 we lost were on the bullpen. ,
It’s a bit of a misconception: Hoffman is the closer, especially lately. The Phillies use the bullpen situationally. Alvarado hasn’t been the closer for sometime.
I agree but we have to stop with situational nonsense. The talent is there in the pen. My concern is how Thomson manages it
Honestly, I’ve watched Estevez and hes nothing special.. If you have him as your closer then your team is in trouble. Wouldn’t mind him as a 5th or 6th inning guy. The only reason hes a closer in the MLB is because the Angels have no one
Wow. Tough crowd.
Estevez has given up 3 hits total for June and July.
18 IP with only 5 baserunners during that time.
Who do you think you are ?
Lol.
I’ve had this handle since the early days of Halos Heaven – sorry if I’m invading your space!
Ben Joyce will move into the closers roll. Once Garcia and Estevez get traded. If you don’t know who he is, you might want to look him up.
Really? He hasn’t given up a run in 18 straight outings. he doesn’t walk anyone. Sits at 98-99. I watch every game and he has been lights out and dominant.
Completely ignorant of the facts this guy. For two years Estevez has been lights out with the exception of last month of last season and 2 weeks of this season. All star as a closer last year, should have been this season (were it not for a division rival manager shunning all deserving division rival players). Pretty dominant as a closer, I’d say.
Estevez for Marsh
Noooooooooo
That would be kinda funny
Marsh, NO. You can keep the cave man.
Phillies fans will be happy to have Brother Marsh remain on board.
Tanner Scott should be the number one target then Carlos Estevez.
Kyle Finnegan would also improve the pen but, Lane Thomas doesn’t appear to be a good fit in the Philly OF, IMO. I keep reading that Philadelphia is seeking a RH OF but they need a LH hitting OF.
Lane Thomas is exactly what the Phillies need. D D will add a right-handed hitting outfielder, because that is what is needed.
Nonsense
About to heat up, you get the sense
Let’s go!
Some other team’s 15th best prospect will slide in at 5ish over here.
Straight trade for Samuel Aldegheri would make sense.
Straight trade for George Klassen or Jean Cabrera could also make sense. If I were Minasian, I’d be angling for one of those three – all in AA now.
Winning! They’re about to get some real Tiger Blood.
If anyone should be interested in Carlos Estevez it should be Cleveland.
He prefers to go by Charlie Sheen.
Who would the Phil’s give up for Estévez??
I don’t like the Phillies’ prospects. If I were Minasian, I would not trade with the Phils. Not a match prospect-wise for the Angels. I am sure Phils would NOT part with Painter or Abel and probably not Aidan Miller, and frankly, he’s too far out. So unless the Halos package Rengifo or Ward with Estevez for one of those three and a lesser prospect, I doubt it happens with Philly. Just my opinion.
They have some decent risers who might not be on your radar, if you’re looking based on offseason prospect lists.
Look at Samuel Aldegheri, George Klassen or Jean Cabrera – any one of those would be the sort of mid-level pitching return the Angels should be expecting for two months of a closer.
I would take Aldegheri and Justin Crawford for Carlos Estevez and Taylor Ward. Ward comes with another year of control and is better than his numbers indicate.
OR I would take Aldegheri for Hunter Strickland and Kevin Pillar.
When I said I don’t like the Phillies prospects, I just meant how they match up for the Angels needs.
Phillies know the key is a solid, deep bullpen.
The best possible situation for Carlos Estevez is a trade to the Guardians with a jersey that says VAUGHN.
Makes me nervous that the angels keep rolling him out this close to the deadline. Make the deal now before he gets injured, we all know how the angels luck goes.
I only hope we get value in return…negotiating player trades is not one of Moreno’s skills unfortunately…neither is running a baseball team for that matter.