The New York Yankees are gearing up to address their bullpen this offseason, with the team reportedly eyeing a former All-Star reliever as a potential addition.
With key bullpen pieces like Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, and Tim Hill all set to hit free agency, the Yankees have yet to re-sign any of them. According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, New York has expressed interest in free-agent reliever Carlos Estévez, who could provide an immediate upgrade to their bullpen.
Estévez, who was named an MLB All-Star in 2023, spent the latter part of the 2024 season with the Philadelphia Phillies. Last year, he posted a 4-5 record with a 2.45 ERA in 54 appearances, including 26 saves.
Over his career, Estévez has a 27-31 record with a 4.21 ERA in 438 games, making him one of the top bullpen options available this offseason. If the Yankees pursue him, Estévez could fill the void left by Holmes, who has been linked to other teams in free agency, and potentially step into a setup or closer role.
Holmes, once the Yankees’ closer, lost the job in early September after struggling with blown saves, including a costly grand slam to the Texas Rangers. Despite this, Holmes rebounded in the postseason, serving as an effective setup man with a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Holmes’ importance in the playoffs, emphasizing that his stuff remained strong even during the regular-season struggles. Holmes finished the year with a 3.14 ERA in 67 appearances, and his playoff performance was a positive sign for his future with the team.
If Estévez joins the Yankees, he would likely compete with Luke Weaver for the closer’s job, though he could also slot into a setup role if he doesn’t win the job outright. Estévez is known for his electric fastball, which can reach up to 100 mph, and his ability to generate swing-and-miss results.
Opponents hit just.198 against his fastball last season, and he posted a 23% whiff rate. While his strikeout rate dipped slightly from 2023, his walk rate improved significantly, dropping from 11% to 5.7% last year.
Estévez is one of the top relievers available in free agency and is expected to secure a multi-year deal. MLBTradeRumors predicts he will sign a three-year, $27 million contract, which would make him a key addition to whichever team lands him.
For the Yankees, Estévez would provide a powerful arm at the back end of the bullpen, strengthening their relief corps as they look to improve their chances in the 2025 season.
