The Reds are still talking to them Carlos Estévezaccording to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Jon Heyman of the New York Post first reported earlier this month that Cincinnati was interested in the veteran player.
More broadly, MLBTR’s Steve Adams reports that Estévez’s market has grown this week. While there is no indication that a deal is imminent, a few teams frustrated by the asking prices of free agent hitters have turned their attention. The relief team has been slow to hit the ground running for most of the season, but that has changed over the past two weeks. Chris Martin, Andrew Kittredge, Jeff Hoffman, AJ Minter, José Leclerc, Tanner Scott again Paul Sewald they all agreed on terms this month. Kirby Yates he is reportedly closing in on a deal with the Dodgers, too.
Estévez is likely an undrafted senior reliever. The 32-year-old has been a reliable backstop for the Angels and Phillies over the past two years. He turned in a 3.90 ERA with 31 saves and a 27.8% strikeout rate for the Halos in 2023. He got off to an even stronger start last year, working to a 2.38 ERA while striking out 25.8% of the batters he faced at the trade deadline.
Los Angeles dealt Estévez to the Phillies for two well-regarded prospects. His finish in Philadelphia was more solid than great. While he turned in a 2.57 ERA in 21 frames for the Phils, Estévez’s hitting percentage dropped to an average clip of 20.5%. Despite the mediocre finish, Estévez still has a strong case for a three-year contract in the $30MM range.
Cincinnati had a decent relief team in 2024. They rank 18th in earned run average despite hitting hard at Great American Ball Park. Reds relievers ranked ninth with a 24.3% strikeout rate. They took out one upper arm while they were working Fernando Cruz to the Yankees for a backup catcher Jose Trevino. A perfect season from a relegation candidate Tony Santillan It may be a big improvement in the near future Alexis Díaz. Veterans Emilio Pagan again Brent Suter come back, as left Sam Moll.
The big question is whether the Reds have the cap space to meet Estévez’s asking price. That seemed unlikely a few weeks ago, as general manager Nick Krall said the team wasn’t working with a lot of money. However, the Reds subsequently finalized a new television contract with FanDuel Sports Networks through the 2025 season. Krall said the TV deal allows the front office to “work a little more (than before) in both free agency and the trade market.” RosterResource lists the Reds’ payroll at about $106MM, about $6MM more than where it ended last season.
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