The Kansas City Royals signed Closer Carlos Estevez to a contract on Wednesday. The exact terms of the deal are unknown at the time of publication. Estevez is coming off a great 2024 season with the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies. He was acquired by the Phillies at the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline.
He finished the regular season with a 4-5 record and a 2.45 ERA. He finished 13th in the league with 26 saves. After using a committee-like approach to close games in 2024, Kansas City will look to Estevez to be a constant presence for them this season. Will Estevez be able to produce at a similar rate in 2025 with the Kansas City Royals?
Kansas City Royals Look To Build Upon a Great 2024
Closer Carlos Estévez and the Kansas City Royals are in agreement on a free agent contract, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 29, 2025
The Kansas City Royals had a great 2024 season after being predicted to be one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball coming into the season. They finished with an 86-76 record and defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card Round before being bested by the New York Yankees in the ALDS. In their five-game loss to the Yankees, Kansas City’s pitching staff fared well. It was their offense that let them down. They scored only three runs in Games 3 and 4 at home.
Kansas City’s pitching staff was a strength in 2024. Estevez reinforces that part of their ballclub heading into 2025. They were eighth in ERA, 15th in opposing batting average, and 13th in WHIP during the regular season. That part of the team raised its level in the MLB Playoffs as they finished second in ERA.
Final Thoughts
Kansas City enters the season with lofty expectations as they made the postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2015 last year. The Kansas City Royals had a relatively quiet offseason following a great 2024. The Royals should be a threat in the American League again in 2025 with Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. coming off a career season and Catcher/First Baseman Salvador Perez experiencing a career resurgence. Estevez must also reproduce his performance from last season for Kansas City to reach its full potential.