The Philadelphia Phillies were already the best team in the MLB before their latest headlining move. However, their deal for Carlos Estévez may shoot them to the moon.
The Phillies traded for the Los Angeles Angels closer on Saturday evening, via The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
“The Phillies are acquiring Carlos Estévez from the Angels, sources tell @TheAthletic,” Rosenthal reported. “Estévez is one of the top closers available, along with the Marlins’ Tanner Scott.”
Philadelphia gave up a couple of top pitching prospects in return, via ESPN's Jeff Passan.
“Closer Carlos Estevez is headed back to the Phillies in the deal for George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri, sources tell ESPN,” Passan said. “@Ken_Rosenthal had Estevez first. The best staff in the National League gets even better.”
Estévez said goodbye to his Angels teammates as they warmed up for their home tilt with the Oakland Athletics, via The Orange Country Registry's Michael Huntley.
The former Colorado Rockie has 20 saves out of 23 opportunities, tied for eighth-most in the league. He also has a career-best 2.38 ERA and 0.735 WHIP in 34 appearances.
Estévez joins a pitching staff that already ranks second in the MLB with a 3.44 ERA. Will the shutdown closer win a ring in the City of Brotherly Love?
Carlos Estévez makes the Phillies' bullpen even scarier
Clase gives Philadelphia a permanent closer, as the job was previously split between Jeff Hoffman (nine saves, 13 holds) and Jose Alvarado (13 saves, six holds). Matt Strahm (one save, nine holds, 1.85 ERA), Orion Kerkering (10 holds, 2.33 ERA), and Gregory Soto (two saves, seven holds) have all been reliable at the end of games as well.
This is a classic win-now move, as Estévez's contract runs out at the end of the season. However, the right-hander may be inclined to stick around if things work out in the fall.
The Angels, on the other hand, received a couple of promising talents. Klassen (High-A) has a 1.97 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 59.1 innings this year, while Aldegheri (Double-A) has a 3.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 78 innings.
While they weren't considered the cream of the crop in February, Passan reminded fans that prospects can rise quickly, via his social media.
“A quick reminder for the trade deadline: Public prospect rankings quite often are not updated during the season,” he said. “If you think George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri are not good because they were ranked in the 20s before the season, you do not know ball. They are both very good.”
Los Angeles plays the long game, while Philadelphia goes all-out for a championship this year.
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