The New York Yankees may be willing to pay a premium for a top reliever this offseason.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported Friday that the Yankees have registered interest in free agent reliever Carlos Estevez as the offseason begins. Morosi does note though that the Yankees are eyeing “many” other relievers as well.
The righty Estevez, 31, is an effective arm who was an All-Star in 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels and posted a 2.45 ERA last year between the Angels and the Philadelphia Phillies. But he is a bit more of a fly ball pitcher, does not have elite swing-and-miss stuff, and has blown 19 saves in the last four seasons. Estevez also recently gave up one of the biggest home runs of the 2024 MLB postseason.
As for the Yankees, fellow righty Luke Weaver appears to be locked and loaded as their closer. But the Yankees do have several other key bullpen arms (Tim Hill, Clay Holmes, and Tommy Kahnle) all hitting free agency this winter. While we had recently heard about some of the other outside signings that the Yankees are looking to make, it looks like relief pitchers will be a big priority for them as well.
