Phillies in danger of losing star closer to Reds in free agency
The Philadelphia Phillies could see a second premier talent from their bullpen depart in free agency any day now.
Reds could snag former Phillies star closer Carlos Estevez
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, free agent star closer Carlos Estevez is in serious discussions with a National League franchise looking to obtain his services this winter:
“The Cincinnati Reds are engaged in talks for free agent closer Carlos Estevez, who has saved 57 games the past two seasons,” Nightengale published on X on Wednesday night.
Estevez’s departure would hurt the Phillies & boost the Reds
Estevez was a man on a mission in 2024. The veteran talent who has played eight seasons in the MLB appeared in 54 contests last time out. Estevez boasted a career-low 2.45 ERA along with 26 saves for the Phillies.
He and 2024 All-Star Jeff Hoffman were instrumental out of Philadelphia’s relief unit last season. Hoffman departed for the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason, leaving a void in their eighth-inning slot. The Phillies do have Jose Alvarado as another closer they can deploy in the event that Estevez walks.
The Phillies’ relief unit would then place more onus on elite ninth-inning specialist Jordan Romano to return to dominant form for them. In turn, the Reds would inherit a talent in Estevez who could help them improve upon the 36 saves they notched last time out, which was the fifth-fewest among all teams.
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Phillies could put Taijuan Walker truly out of sight, out of mind with gluttonous signing
The Philadelphia Phillies’ offseason has been mostly quiet aside from tweaks to the pitching staff.
Dave Dombrowski came under fire last season for trade deadline half-measures, adding Austin Hays and Carlos Estevez when fans wanted Luis Robert and Tanner Scott. This winter has not featured the star upgrade fans pine for, but considering Philadelphia’s payroll situation — the second-highest in all of baseball, behind only the Dodgers — Dombrowski has done enough to merit praise. Joe Ross and Jordan Romano should contribute amply in the bullpen, while Jesus Luzardo immediately becomes one of the best “fifth starters” in the National League.
Most importantly, Dombrowski has firmly excised Taijuan Walker from the starting rotation. Philadelphia’s final rotation slot went from a glaring weakness to a shining strength with a single move, which keeps Walker pegged in the low-stakes bullpen role where he finished the 2024 campaign.
It’s hard to overstate how bad last season was for Walker, who was beset by injuries and totally ineffective when available. He made 19 appearances (15 starts) and finished with a 7.10 ERA, giving up 107 hits and 66 earned runs across 83.2 innings.
Maybe last season was a fluky dud for the 32-year-old former All-Star, but Walker has been on the decline for a while and the Phillies can’t take chances. Luzardo, when he’s at his apex, can challenge for an All-Star berth of his own. Philadelphia would love for Walker to revive his value with a proficient season in the pen, maybe even as a swingman making the occasional start. But, there cannot be a world in which Walker is relied upon for high-leverage innings on a regular basis.
