Former Phillies closer Carlos Estevez is heading to Kansas City.
The right-hander is signing a deal with the Royals, according to a report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the deal is for two years with a club option. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com says the guarantee is for two years and $22 million. The club option for 2027 is worth $13 million. He will receive a $2 million buyout after 2026 if the club option is not exercised.
Estevez was acquired by the Phillies at the deadline in a trade that sent pitching prospects George Klassen and Sam Aldegheri to the Los Angeles Angels. Aldegheri struggled in three games with the Angels after receiving a surprising call to the big leagues. Klassen, a top pitching prospect in the Phillies organization, finished the year with a 5.65 ERA in seven games with Double-A Rocket City.
In 20 games with the Phillies during the regular season in 2024, Estevez posted a 2.57 ERA. His short tenure with the team will be remembered for the way it ended as he gave up the grand slam to Francisco Lindor in Game 4 of the NLDS that sent the Phillies home.
Estevez joins a Kansas City team that is coming off an 86-win season and a wild card series win against the Baltimore Orioles.
He’s not the only Phillies free agent from last season to find a new home this week. Austin Hays reportedly signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Estevez’s former teammate Jeff Hoffman signed with the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this month. Spencer Turnbull is still a free agent.