Los Angeles Angels closer Carlos Estévez is in the midst of perhaps the best stretch — and best season — of his MLB career. He has 16 saves in 19 opportunities this season and has a 2.89 ERA, 0.821 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 28 innings of work in 2024. Those numbers have looked even better over the last month and beyond.
Since May 28, Estévez has not given up a single run. In 12 innings, he has allowed only two hits and one walk and has 11 strikeouts. He has an opponent OPS of .133 in that span and won the American League reliever of the month award for his work in June.
All of this, unfortunately, makes Estévez a perfect trade candidate at this month’s MLB trade deadline. Strong relievers on non-contending teams are always the most likely players to be traded, as they generally make reasonable money and are not on long-term deals. Estévez’s expiring contract is considered one of the most likely trade chips at the deadline.
The Angels have reportedly been listening to offers on their closer, according to Robert Murray of FanSided:
The Angels are listening on right-hander Carlos Estévez, who was named American League Reliever of the Month in June after allowing only one baserunner and no runs. He’s in the final year of a two-year, $13.5 million contract and looms as a realistic trade target for teams in need of bullpen reinforcements.
Other potential trade pieces on the Angels include Luis Rengifo, Taylor Ward, Tyler Anderson, Mickey Moniak, Matt Moore, Luis Garcia and Adam Cimber.
The Angels have a lot of work to do to replenish an absolutely depleted farm system after some ill-advised deals at last year’s deadline. Estévez won’t return a haul, but he could get one or two players added to the Halos’ top 30, which would be a step in the right direction.
At this rate, a full fire sale seems to be the best, and perhaps only, course of action for the Angels. If Estévez, Rengifo, Ward, Anderson, Moniak, Moore, Garcia and Cimber are all dealt — or at least half of that group — the Angels could start to really rebuild their farm system.
From there, they can start developing and trying to field a competitive roster at the big league level around some of their young cornerstones like Logan O’Hoppe, Zach Neto, Jose Soriano and Nolan Schanuel.
Angels still waiting on Mike Trout
One of the reasons for the Angels’ needing to sell this season is the injury to Mike Trout that has kept him out for the majority of this season. The most recent update on him was mostly positive, as he is pain-free swinging in cages, and is hopeful to move forward to the next step of rehab soon.
