Angels sign Carlos Estevez to 2-year deal worth reported $13.5M
The Los Angeles Angels bolstered their bullpen by signing free-agent reliever Carlos Estevez to a two-year contract, the team announced Monday.
The deal is worth $13.5 million, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Estevez will reportedly earn $6.75 million in each season of the contract.
Estevez, who turns 30 on Dec. 29, had spent his entire six-year career with the Colorado Rockies. The right-hander owns a lifetime 4.59 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 312 strikeouts and 25 saves across 321 relief appearances. He produced the best season of his career in 2022, posting a 3.47 ERA (135 ERA+) while averaging 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings in 62 appearances.
The Angels are hoping Estevez will add some firepower to a bullpen that lacked it at times last campaign, especially after the club traded closer Raisel Iglesias midseason. Halos relievers combined for 1.7 WAR in 2022, ranking 25th in the majors, per FanGraphs.
Moving away from Coors Field may also help Estevez long term. Like many Rockies pitchers, his lifetime road splits are far superior to those in Colorado's notorious launching pad.
Estevez's career splits
| Place | IP | ERA | WHIP | K/9 | HR Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coors Field | 158.1 | 5.57 | 1.54 | 9.1 | 21 |
| Road | 143.2 | 3.51 | 1.26 | 9.5 | 21 |
Estevez is the Angels' second major free-agent signing this offseason, following All-Star starter Tyler Anderson last month.