Yankees Heat-Up Hotter: Yankees to strengthen bulging bullpen with Phillies Closer for $33 million Contract, as Aaron Boone makes Return as Manager after…See Details
The Yankees were linked at the MLB trade deadline as a potential fit for Estevez when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. However, he wound up getting dealt to the Phillies, continuing his strong 2024 campaign.
Estevez, pitching primarily in late-inning, high-leverage situations, recorded a 2.45 ERA with 50 strikeouts, 12 walks and a 0.91 WHIP across 55 innings with the Angels and Phillies.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post projected that Estevez will be in the market of a three-year, $33 million deal.
The Yankees have a massive need to add to the bullpen this offseason, and finding relievers with more swing-and-miss stuff is vital.
Estevez features a 100 mph four-seam fastball along with a slider and changeup, but his 23.6% strikeout and 25.6% whiff rate leaves a lot to be desired for a closer who will be relied upon in high-leverage situations.
Either way, the Yankees need to add plenty of pieces to the bullpen so this will be something to keep an eye on.
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Aaron Boone returning as New York Yankees manager in 2025
New York won the American League pennant this year for the first time since 2009, before ultimately losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games in the World Series.
Boone agreed to a three-year contract in October 2021, which included the team option for 2025. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the deadline for the option is 10 days after the World Series.
“Aaron is a steadying presence in our clubhouse and possesses a profound ability to connect with and foster relationships with his players,” Cashman said in a statement. “Consistently exhibiting these skills in such a demanding and pressurized market is what makes him one of the game’s finest managers.”
“I am grateful for the trust placed in me to lead this team. It’s a responsibility — and an opportunity — that I will never take lightly,” Boone said in a statement.
Boone is the third Yankees manager to lead the team to the postseason in six of his first seven years after Casey Stengel and Joe Torre.
Boone will discuss the decision during a news conference on Monday, the Yankees said.
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