This would be quite a statement. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cincinnati Reds are currently in talks with free agency reliever Carlos Estévez. The right-hander has been on the Reds’ radar all summer and would add much-needed depth at the back end of the bullpen.
Estévez, the former Los Angeles Angels closer, was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies at the MLB trade deadline last season. Estévez made 54 appearances in 2024, recording 26 saves and compiling a 2.45 ERA and 0.909 WHIP. The Reds are close to signing former Angels closer Carlos Estévez.
The addition of Estévez to the Reds’ bullpen would provide much-needed protection after Alexis Díaz’s inconsistent performance in 2024. The Reds traded Fernando Cruz to the New York Yankees earlier this offseason, and while many fans have complained about the team’s lack of outfield depth, the bullpen has been overlooked this winter.The Reds are not the only team connected to Estévez this offseason. Estévez was recently linked to the Toronto Blue Jays, but the veteran reliever has also been pursued by the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.
The reliever market has heated up in recent days, with the Los Angeles Dodgers signing contracts with both Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates. Estévez is perhaps the greatest reliever on the free agent market right now, and if Nick Krall and the Reds front office can close the deal, he would be a fantastic acquisition.
Currently, the Reds bullpen includes Díaz, Sam Moll, Brent Suter, Tony Santillan, and Emilio Pagán. Cincinnati also has Casey Legumina, Carson Spiers, Luis Mey, Lyon Richardson, and Yosver Zulueta in the lineup. The Reds still have the option to convert Graham Ashcraft and Connor Phillips into relievers, but both will likely enter camp looking to compete. seeking a position in Cincinnati’s starting rotation.Before free agency started, MLB Trade Rumors expected that Estévez would get a three-year, $27 million contract. Securing a reliever on a three-year contract is unusual for the Reds front office, so it will be intriguing to see whether Cincinnati can complete the deal and what the final figures will be.
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