Angels trade closer Estévez to Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies beefed up their bullpen Saturday, acquiring former All-Star closer Carlos Estévez from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect George Klassen and lefty Samuel Aldegheri, the teams announced.
Carlos Estevez has been traded to the Phillies. He’s saying goodbye to teammates now. Here he is talking to Logan O’Hoppe @SportingTrib @TaylorBlakeWard #Angels #ReptheHalo pic.twitter.com/CHtOclnQ1b
— Michael Huntley (@mikehuntley63) July 27, 2024
Estévez, an All-Star in 2023, is enjoying the best season of his eight-year career. The 31-year-old has tallied 20 saves in 23 opportunities while sporting a career-best 2.38 ERA, 2.85 FIP, and 0.74 WHIP, along with 32 strikeouts and only five walks in 34 appearances. Estévez hasn't allowed a run in 18 consecutive outings dating back to May 28.
He'll add even more firepower to a Phillies bullpen that's among the best in baseball, joining All-Stars Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman, as well as lefty Gregory Soto.
Dave Dombrowski didn't call Carlos Estevez the Phillies' closer, but ... "it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets a lot of ninth innings and [Rob Thomson] slots people behind him.”
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 27, 2024
Estévez is in the final season of a two-year, $13.5-million contract with the Halos. Over eight campaigns with the Angels and Colorado Rockies, he's tallied a 4.29 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 422 strikeouts, and 76 saves.
Klassen and Aldegheri were ranked by Baseball America as the Phillies' No. 5 and 7 prospects, respectively. Both pitchers shot up the organizational rankings this summer amid breakout performances in the minors.
Klassen was the Phillies' sixth-round pick last summer, but he didn't make his professional debut until this year. In 14 total starts split between Low-A Clearwater and High-A Jersey Shore, the 22-year-old has put up a 1.97 ERA and 0.98 WHIP along with 89 strikeouts.
Aldegheri, originally signed by Philadelphia out of his native Italy in 2019, was promoted to Double-A Reading earlier this month. The 22-year-old put up a 3.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP along with 109 strikeouts and only three home runs allowed in 15 total starts across the High-A and Double-A levels.
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