The Atlanta Braves are reportedly interested in free-agent right-handed pitcher Carlos Estévez, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The 32-year-old had a standout season in 2024, playing for both the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies. He made 54 appearances, finishing with a 2.45 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts in 55 innings. In addition to the Braves, the Angels are also looking into re-signing Estévez.
For the Braves, Estévez would provide a solid right-handed option to help bolster their bullpen, especially as Joe Jiménez recovers from knee surgery. While no specific details about a potential deal have been revealed, Estévez earned $6.75 million in 2024, and his market value is projected to be around $14 million annually for a three-year deal, according to Spotrac. This gives a rough estimate of what the Braves could expect to pay.
One potential upside of signing Estévez is that closer Raisel Iglesias is set to become a free agent after next season. Adding Estévez could help the Braves prepare for Iglesias’ potential departure, giving them another reliable option for the bullpen at a comparable contract value. However, there are concerns about Estévez’s consistency, as his career ERA before 2024 stood at 4.47, though much of that was due to his time with the Colorado Rockies, where the challenging Coors Field environment impacted his performance. Since moving away from Coors Field, Estévez has shown significant improvement, making him a more attractive option.
Despite the steep price tag, signing Estévez could be a worthwhile move for the Braves if the deal is structured correctly. Along with Estévez, the Braves have also been linked to left-handed pitcher Tanner Scott, although it remains to be seen if the team can afford both players at their projected salaries. However, acquiring at least one of them would significantly strengthen the Braves’ bullpen for the 2024 season.
