The Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Angels are finalizing a trade that will bring All-Star reliever Carlos Estévez to Philadelphia. In exchange, the Angels will receive pitching prospects George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri.
Estévez, 31, has 20 saves in 23 chances this season, with a 2.38 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 32 strikeouts against three unintentional walks over 34 innings. The Phillies have not used an exclusive closer this season, with lefty José Alvarado recording 13 saves and righty Jeff Hoffman recording nine. Four other players have also recorded saves.
It’s uncertain whether manager Rob Thomson will continue to play matchups in the late innings or appoint Estévez as the closer, allowing up Hoffman and Alvarado to play fireman roles in innings before the ninth.
Regardless, the Phillies’ bullpen has become better here. They entered Saturday with a bullpen ERA of 3.96, ranking 16th in baseball. Estévez replaces Seranthony Domínguez on the roster, who was traded on Friday.
The Phillies started play Saturday with a 64-39 record, the best in baseball. They have a nine-game lead in the National League East.
Klassen, a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher, will make his return to the Angels. This season, he posted a 0.71 ERA in nine starts for Class A Clearwater, and he has now made five starts in High-A, pitching to a 4.22 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 32 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings. Aldegheri is a 22-year-old lefty. In 15 starts in High-A and Double-A, he has a 3.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, with 109 strikeouts in 78 innings.
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