Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; American League pitcher Carlos Estevez (53) of the Kansas City Royals reacts in the seventh inning during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Brett Davis
If you were going to make a list of the most jovial players in Major League Baseball, Carlos Estévez would be near the top of the list.
After the Phillies acquired him from the Los Angeles Angels last summer to bolster their bullpen, Estévez dropped perhaps the quote of the year.
“Honestly, in a group like this, however I can put a grain of sand to this beautiful beach that these guys built here, I’m down for whatever, man," Estévez said on July 29, 2024.
Carlos Estévez on role with Phillies:
“Honestly, in a group like this, however I can put a grain of sand to this beautiful beach that these guys built here, I’m down for whatever, man.” @PhilliesNation pic.twitter.com/iOWdK2wedA
While Estévez was effective in the second half of the regular season for the Phillies — he posted a 2.57 ERA in 18 appearances after being acquired — he didn't ultimately prove to be the missing piece for the 2024 Phillies. He, Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm all struggled during the NLDS against the red-hot New York Mets. Estévez ultimately gave up a grand slam to Francisco Lindor in Game 4 of the NLDS after inheriting a messy situation from Hoffman, and that was basically the dagger in the season for the Phillies.
Still, Estévez was his typical upbeat self when speaking to On Pattison in the visitor's clubhouse Friday before the Phillies host the Kansas City Royals — his current employer — for three games this weekend.
"It was good, it was good," Estévez said of his brief tenure with the Phillies. "Good group of guys, good organization ... I mean, great fans. I mean, it was good. I really liked it here."
His former manager, Rob Thomson, was also very complimentary.
"He's had a great year," Thomson said. "He helped us out a lot last year in different roles than what he's used to. So now he's back in the closer role, and very comfortable with that."
Comfortable, indeed.
After signing a two-year/$22 million deal with a $13 million club option for a third season, Estévez has turned in the best season of his career. Entering play Friday, he leads baseball in both saves (39) and games finished (54). Granted, he has blown six save attempts, but has a 2.45 ERA over 63 appearances. He's performed up to, if not above his contract.
"Honestly, just attacking the strike zone," Estévez said of what's allowed him to have success. "The beginning was kind of a little bit shaky. I was coming off of an injury, but after I found my groove again, just attacking ... throwing strikes ... getting ahead of hitters and making them swing."
Estévez said that while the Phillies did contact him in free agency in the offseason, things never got to the point where it felt like he was going to return to Philadelphia.
Ultimately, things seemed to have worked out best for all parties involved. Estévez got a nice deal and seems to be genuinely happy with the Royals. The Phillies' initial pivot of signing Jordan Romano after Estévez and Hoffman left in free agency hasn't panned out, but with the midseason additions of Jhoan Duran and David Robertson, they appear better equipped for the postseason than they were even a year ago.
