SAN DIEGO — The Angels bolstered their bullpen Monday during the Winter Meetings by awarding the Dominican Carlos Estevez a two-year, $13.5 million contract — $6.75 per season.
Estevez, 29, is coming off a strong season with the Rockies, posting a 3.47 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 57 innings. He has been in Colorado for his entire six-year career and has a 4.59 ERA with 312 fanouts in 302 innings during that stretch. He also has a 3.51 ERA with 152 strikeouts in 142.2 innings away from Coors Field, which favors hitters.
The Dominican also has experience as a closer, with 25 career saves, including 11 as a rookie in 2016 and 11 in 2021. The Los Angeles-Anaheim squad has been searching the market for a closer following trading Raisel Iglesias. to the Braves at the trade deadline, and Estevez might fill that vacancy.
Estevez joins a bullpen made up of veteran relievers like Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera. Jimmy Herget and Venezuelan José Quijada also stormed this season. Jaime Barría will probably be a long reliever and Andrew Wantz also had a solid year.