"Announcement: Royals to Acquire Ex-Phillies Closer Carlos Estevez"
The Kansas City Royals have come to an agreement with free agent right-handed closer Carlos Estevez on a two-year deal, as reported by various media outlets on Wednesday evening.
Estevez, who was an All-Star in 2023 while playing for the Los Angeles Angels, spent last season with both the Angels and the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies acquired him on July 27, just before the trade deadline.
While the Royals have yet to officially announce the contract, it is believed to be worth $22 million.
At 32 years old, Estevez had a combined record of 4-5 with a 2.45 ERA, 26 saves, 12 walks, and 50 strikeouts in 55 innings over 54 relief appearances last season.
Throughout his career, he has a record of 27-31 with a 4.21 ERA, 82 saves, 161 walks, and 440 strikeouts in 419 1/3 innings over 438 relief appearances for the Colorado Rockies (2016-17, 2019-22), Angels (2023-24), and Phillies (2024). He missed the entire 2018 season due to injuries.
The Kansas City Royals had a successful season in 2021, finishing with a record of 86-76 and making the playoffs for the first time since 2015. They swept the Baltimore Orioles in the American League wild-card round 2-0 before being eliminated by the New York Yankees in the ALDS 3-1.