After signing outfielder Austin Hays, the Philadelphia Phillies made an even greater statement in the trade market on Saturday, acquiring outstanding closer Carlos Estévez from the Los Angeles Angels. Samuel Aldegheri and George Klassen, two promising pitching prospects, were traded in the opposite direction.
With the swift strike, the Phillies appear to have been seeking to handle their requirements early in order to prevent the chaos that could arise just before the trade deadline on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.
So, following the successful transaction with Hays, how did the Phillies fare this time around with the signing of Estévez?
Carlos Estévez trade grade: Phillies land massive bullpen upgrade for high price
Estévez has emerged as one of the top closers in baseball since joining the Angels as a free agent for the 2023 season. After six seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Estévez excelled in his first closer role on a struggling Angels team, recording a career-high 31 saves, a 3.90 ERA, and 78 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings. This performance earned him his first All-Star nomination.
This season, Estévez has elevated his game further with exceptional control. He boasts a 2.38 ERA and a 0.73 WHIP, with only five walks and 32 strikeouts in 34 innings across 34 appearances. His WHIP is second only to Emmanuel Clase among qualified relievers.
While the Phillies haven’t officially named Estévez as their new closer, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski suggested that Estévez could frequently handle ninth-inning duties, with others filling in behind him.
Estévez’s addition significantly strengthens the Phillies’ bullpen and provides greater flexibility for their top relievers. It could also offer struggling bullpen mainstay José Alvarado a chance to recover his form, potentially forming a formidable trio with Hoffman and Estévez to close out games.
The Phillies took a significant risk by trading two of their top rising prospects, Aldegheri and Klassen, to acquire Estévez. Aldegheri, the Phillies’ No. 7 prospect according to Baseball America, had an impressive 2024 season with a 6-5 record, 3.23 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 109 strikeouts in 78 innings across two minor league levels.
Klassen, ranked No. 5 in the Phillies’ system, has had an even more outstanding season, posting a 3-2 record, a 1.97 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings over 14 starts between Single-A and High-A. The trade involved giving up significant talent, but the hope is that Estévez’s impact will justify the cost.
Carlos Estévez trade grade: The Verdict
With the Phillies’ bullpen needing a boost due to recent struggles, adding Estévez should provide the essential spark to get the team back on track.
Although the cost may seem high, with the Phillies potentially parting with two top-10-caliber prospects who could become front-end starters, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes that even Dombrowski admitted it was “probably a little more than you like to give up for a rental.”
However, Estévez was one of the premier closers available, making him a valuable acquisition. Dombrowski hinted that there could be potential for re-signing Estévez after the season, which could increase the return on investment.
For a Phillies team that is all-in on their World Series pursuit this season, the fact that they didn’t have to part with their top prospects—Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, and Justin Crawford—is a significant win.
As Dombrowski said, “It’s going to hurt at some point when you make a trade to try to win. We are trying to win. We think [Estévez] is a guy that can be a real significant piece to that.”
Given the focus on winning and the strategic move, the Phillies’ trade is deserving of a well-earned A grade.