KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Royals have finalized a two-year contract worth $22 million with reliever Carlos Estévez, thereby bolstering their bullpen with a new potential closer alongside Lucas Erceg, according to a knowledgeable source.
The agreement incorporates a $13 million option that carries a $2 million buyout, as reported by the source, who requested anonymity due to the agreement still requiring a physical examination. Kansas City will need to make adjustments to their 40-man roster for Estévez once the physical is completed.
The 32-year-old Estévez had a solid season last year, taking the mound in 54 games for both the Angels and Phillies. He boasted a commendable 2.45 ERA across his appearances, achieving 20 saves while with the Angels and six saves for the Phillies, as they clinched the NL East title.
However, his postseason run took a hit when he allowed a critical home run to the Mets during Game 4 of the National League Division Series. Estévez had previously earned All-Star honors while with the Angels two seasons ago, where he recorded a 5-5 record and a 3.90 ERA over 63 outings.
The Royals had previously acquired Erceg from the Athletics in their pursuit of a wild-card spot, and he performed well during the latter part of the season and into the postseason, stabilizing a previously inconsistent bullpen. With Estévez joining the team, the dynamic duo of Estévez and Erceg is expected to strengthen the late-game pitching strategy.
Kansas City will also welcome back Sam Long, Kris Bubic, Angel Zerpa, and John Schreiber, all contributors to a much-improved bullpen in the last season. They are optimistic about Hunter Harvey returning after being acquired at the trade deadline but facing injury challenges that limited him to just 5 2/3 innings.
The Royals may see additional bullpen support depending on the outcomes of their starting pitching competitions. Starters Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo are both All-Stars returning to the lineup, while the team has re-signed Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen, who are expected to fill the top four spots in the starting rotation. Bubic, Alec Marsh, and Daniel Lynch IV will vie for the fifth position, or potentially all could find themselves in the bullpen if Kyle Wright is fit enough to begin this season after being acquired from the Braves while recovering from shoulder surgery.
