Yankees Rumors: Carlos Estévez 1 of ‘Many’ Relievers Eyed in 2024 MLB Free Agency

Adam WellsNovember 8, 2024

Hunter Martin/Getty Images

The reigning American League champion New York Yankees are heavily in the market for relief pitchers after patching together a bullpen during the 2024 season.

Per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, Carlos Estévez is believed to be among the “many” free-agent relievers the Yankees have interest in signing.

The Yankees will likely start 2025 with Luke Weaver in the closer’s role after picking up his $2.5 million option on Nov. 1.

Beyond Weaver, though, there are a significant questions about how manager Aaron Boone will navigate the middle innings as things currently stand with the roster.

Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle and Tim Hill are all free agents. That trio combined for 149.2 innings in the regular season. They were also the main group of relievers that Boone turned to in the playoffs after Weaver.

Estévez was an All-Star for the Los Angeles Angels in 2023. He split last season between the Angels and Philadelphia Phillies, who acquired him in a trade on July 27.

The 31-year-old Estévez had the best season of his career in 2024 with a 2.45 ERA in 54 appearances. He allowed just 38 hits and five homers in 55 innings.

After a rough start to his career with the Colorado Rockies, Estévez has turned into one a reliable middle reliever. He has posted a 3.30 ERA in 179 appearances since 2022.

Since Estévez isn’t a closer, his price on the open market likely won’t be incredibly high. The Yankees will probably need to sign at least two relievers given their current group of free agents.

Estévez would slot right in as a middle reliever who is effective against both righties and lefties for the Yankees if he ends up signing with them.