Royals land former All-Star closer Estévez on 2-year, $22M deal

The Kansas City Royals and closer Carlos Estévez agreed to a two-year, $22-million contract.

The contract also contains a $13-million club option for 2027, with a $2-million buyout.

Estévez, a 2023 All-Star with the Los Angeles Angels, authored a 2.45 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP, 26 saves, and 50 strikeouts over a combined 55 innings between the Angels and Philadelphia Phillies last season.

The 32-year-old right-hander finished in the 89th percentile in fastball velocity and 86th percentile in walk rate during the 2024 campaign, according to Baseball Savant.

Estévez will join a Kansas City bullpen that also includes Lucas Erceg and John Schreiber. Royals relievers placed 15th in fWAR last year.