With two prospects, the Phillies acquire Angels closer Carlos Estevez.
After paying a high price in two elite pitching prospects, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired closer Carlos Estevez from the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday, bolstering an already formidable bullpen with a powerful arm.
In exchange, the Angels will receive right-hander George Klassen and left-hander Samuel Aldegheri. Estevez, 31, is a free agent this winter.
The Phillies bolster their already strong bullpen with the addition of Estevez, a seasoned late-inning reliever. The Phillies include 23-year-old Orion Kerkering in addition to left-handers Jose Alvarado and Gregory Soto, all of whom have experience closing games, and All-Stars Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm.
This season, Estevez has exhibited perfect control, walking just three batters in 34 innings. He has a 2.38 ERA with 20 saves, 32 strikeouts, and a slash line of.169/.202/.288 against opponents.
“This past year, he was among the best relievers in baseball,” stated Dave Dombrowski, the president of the Phillies. “He has the ability to pitch in the ninth inning. We’ll see how [manager Rob Thomson] decides how best to employ him. I wouldn’t be shocked if he gets a lot of ninth innings.”
With a record of 64-39, the Phillies are the favorites in the World Series and have the best record in baseball. It’s a steep price to pay to deal prospects like Klassen and Aldegheri for a reliever who will soon become a free agent, but it’s one that shows the team’s urgency following consecutive losses in the National League Championship Series and World Series.
