The Philadelphia Phillies had a relatively low-key offseason, but the biggest buzz among fans came from the players the team chose not to bring back. Much of the attention has centered around the decision to let Jeff Hoffman walk after his impressive resurgence. However, another Phillies reliever is making headlines with his new team in 2025.
Carlos Estévez signed a two-year, $22 million contract (with a third-year option) with the Kansas City Royals after hitting free agency. Now 32, Estévez has become a key piece of the Royals’ bullpen, entering Saturday with a 2-1 record, a 1.82 ERA, and a league-best 19 saves in the American League. He’s on pace for a career-best season and looks like a strong candidate for his second All-Star selection. On June 5, he recorded his 100th career save, with the bulk of those coming over the past three seasons.
Estévez joined the Phillies last July in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels, who received pitching prospects Samuel Aldegheri and George Klassen in return. He was effective down the stretch, finishing with a 3-2 record, a 2.57 ERA, and six saves in 20 appearances.
Despite his solid regular-season performance, some fans still recall the crucial home run he surrendered to Francisco Lindor in the NLDS against the Mets—a blow that hurt Philadelphia’s comeback hopes. Even so, Estévez finished the postseason with a respectable 3.38 ERA.
Carlos Estévez would look good in a Phillies uniform right about now
Despite ongoing mutual interest before and during the offseason, the two sides ultimately failed to reach an agreement, bringing Carlos Estévez’s short stint with the Phillies to an end.
With José Alvarado suspended and Jordan Romano, Matt Strahm, and former Royals reliever Carlos Hernández all underperforming—Hernández was even recently designated for assignment—the choice to move on from a reliable arm like Estévez continues to look questionable. The situation is made worse by the fact that the Phillies gave up several high-profile prospects to acquire him in the first place.
Both Klassen and Aldegheri have since become top-tier talents in the Angels’ farm system. Aldegheri has already made multiple big league appearances and recorded his first MLB win last season, according to Dave Sessions of MLB.com. Meanwhile, the Phillies ended up with only Estévez in the deal and are now left empty-handed. Their bullpen currently ranks 23rd in the league with a 4.48 ERA.
While it’s easy to second-guess decisions in hindsight, it’s hard for fans not to question whether parting with Estévez was the right call.
