Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Sources: Royals boost bullpen with Estévez deal

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 16:27

Closer Carlos Estévez and Kansas City are in agreement on a two-year, $22.2 million contract with a club option, sources told ESPN on Wednesday, adding a veteran reliever to a Royals team hoping to continue its run of success after a surprise postseason appearance last year.

The deal will pay Estévez $10.1 million in each of the first two years, with the club option worth $13 million and a $2 million buyout.

Estévez, 32, has spent the past two seasons as a closer -- first for the Los Angeles Angels and then, following a July trade, the Philadelphia Phillies -- with a high-octane fastball and a swing-and-miss slider and changeup. While his strikeout rate dipped last year, his walks came down significantly as well and unleashed the best version of him.

With a weak bullpen in the first half of last season, Kansas City upgraded at the trade deadline by acquiring right-hander Lucas Erceg -- who became a dominant closer down the stretch -- and right-hander Hunter Harvey, who missed the postseason with injuries. Estévez's presence alongside Erceg gives Kansas City a potent one-two punch in the late innings to complement one of the American League's best rotations.

Coming off a 106-loss season, the Royals improved by 30 games and beat the Baltimore Orioles in the wild-card round before losing to the eventual American League champion New York Yankees. Kansas City re-signed starter Michael Wacha and traded for second baseman Jonathan India early in the winter, then re-signed right-hander Michael Lorenzen.

Estévez enriches a bullpen that includes right-handers Erceg, Harvey and John Schreiber and a panoply of left-handers: Angel Zerpa, Sam Long, Daniel Lynch and potentially Kris Bubic, who is expected to compete with Lorenzen and right-hander Kyle Wright for Kansas City's fifth starter job.

After spending six seasons in Colorado, Estévez signed a two-year, $13.5 million deal with the Angels and ascended into the closer role. Since signing with Los Angeles, he has saved 57 games and struck out 128 while walking 43 in 117 innings with a 3.22 ERA.

Read 10 times

Soccer

Almirón rejoins Atlanta United from Newcastle

Almirón rejoins Atlanta United from Newcastle

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMiguel Almirón has rejoined former side Atlanta United from Newcast...

Norway FA defends VAR after clubs vote to scrap

Norway FA defends VAR after clubs vote to scrap

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe president of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) launched a...

Axed PL ref Coote: Drug use didn't affect decisons

Axed PL ref Coote: Drug use didn't affect decisons

EmailPrintFormer Premier League referee David Coote has insisted that his drug use had no influence...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

SGA stays hot with 52, 'not satisfied' as OKC falls

SGA stays hot with 52, 'not satisfied' as OKC falls

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's second career 50-point g...

Bontemps' NBA All-Star ballot: Locks, star battles and where LeBron and KD check in

Bontemps' NBA All-Star ballot: Locks, star battles and where LeBron and KD check in

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe NBA is set to announce the 14 All-Star reserves tonight. And wh...

Baseball

Sources: Royals boost bullpen with Estévez deal

Sources: Royals boost bullpen with Estévez deal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCloser Carlos Estévez and Kansas City are in agreement on a two-yea...

Reds acquire reliever Rogers in trade with Giants

Reds acquire reliever Rogers in trade with Giants

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday acquired left-handed reliever Tayl...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated