In Estevez, the Phillies get arguably among the best accessible nearer on the commerce market, filling a big gap for an in any other case strong bullpen. In alternate, they gave up two ascending pitching prospects to the Angels.
L.A. acquired George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri, who started the 12 months hovering close to or beneath the Phillies’ listing of high 20 prospects however quickly shot as much as No. 5 and No. 7, respectively. Now, they rank among the many Angels’ high 10 prospects.
Whereas the return may give some pause, neither anticipate to smell the majors till 2026 on the earliest. Conversely, with the Phillies, Estevez is more likely to tackle one of the important roles on the staff.
The Phillies bullpen is second in WAR (5.0) and strikeouts per 9 innings (10.30), armed with loads of succesful choices, together with Orion Kerkering, Jose Alvarado and All-Stars Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman. However, none have run away with the nearer position, the place Estevez matches completely.
Phillies common supervisor Dave Dombrowski mentioned as a lot with out saying. He instructed reporters by way of Todd Zolecki of MLB.com that it would not be a shock if supervisor Rob Thomson used Estevez in “a number of ninth innings.”
The 31-year-old has recorded 20 saves (23 alternatives), a 2.38 ERA, and a 0.74 WHIP, posting 32 strikeouts to solely 5 walks over 34 innings this season.
In the meantime, Estevez hasn’t allowed an earned run in 18 consecutive appearances. During the last 18.1 innings, he is struck out 15 and walked solely three whereas batters are slashing a paltry .069/.115/.069 in opposition to him.
In an ideal world, the deal works out for each groups.
The Angels, struggling within the AL West, get two promising arms who may contribute within the very close to future. In the meantime, the Phillies get a confirmed nearer primed to make a right away affect on a staff with World Sequence aspirations.
Nevertheless, most significantly, it is smart for the Phillies, no matter how the transfer works out or the associated fee.
