Former Phillies reliever Carlos Estevez has agreed to a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Royals:

The 32 year old is coming off the best season of his pro career, tallying a 2.45 ERA with the Angels and Phillies in 2024.

The Phils have now lost two of their top three relievers from 2024 to free agency. Jeff Hoffman signed a 3-year, $33M deal with the Toronto Blue Jays a few weeks back after failing a physical with the Orioles and Braves due to a right shoulder issue.

I’m starting to get a little worried about the bullpen. No, I don’t think it’s a bad bullpen. Matt Strahm is still elite. Orion Kerkering is going to continue to get better. When Jordan Romano is healthy, he’s elite, and he said he’s 100% healthy. But you never know what you’re going to get from Jose Alvarado, although he’s in the best shape of his life right now.

I still need the Phillies to get one more bullpen arm. It doesn’t need to be some expensive elite reliever, although that would be nice. They have one more spot to fill in their bullpen, with seven of eight spots currently “locked up.”

They signed Koyo Aoyagi, who could be an option to fill that last hole in the bullpen. They’re setting themselves up to have to buy a reliever at the deadline again, which is fine if that’s what they want to do. Here’s how the bullpen looks right now:

  • Matt Strahm
  • Orion Kerkering
  • Jose Alvarado
  • Jordan Romano
  • Jose Ruiz
  • Joe Ross
  • Tanner Banks
  • (Open Slot)