The Chicago Cubs have one of the best teams in the National League Central and know they can add to it with a strong bullpen in the bullpen.
There is still a significant amount of high-end relievers on the market, but the Cubs’ best target could be one of their competitors who is also interested in signing. This would make for an interesting bidding war heading into spring training.
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Carlos Estevez posted a 2.45 ERA in 54 games last season between the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies. He recorded 26 tackles in 2024 after making a career-high 31 in 2023.
Bob Nightingale reported on Wednesday The Cincinnati Reds are among the teams interested in signing Estevez, so the Cubs should pounce while they have the chance.
Estevez has Market value: $42 million He is expected to sign a three-year contract. At $14 million per year, the Cubs can certainly afford to shore up the bullpen.
Signing with the Cubs would be the best of both worlds for Estévez as he will be adequately compensated and will also play for a team that is expected to truly strive for an NL Central title in 2025.
He has shown in 2023 that he can strike out hitters at a very high rate as he has 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings. That number drops in 2024, but he also lowered his walk total last season.
Estevez has only received 16 walks in 54 games. (Four of them were intentional.) When looking at the full 162 game seasons, that number equals a career best for the 32-year-old.
Signing Estevez would make a lot of sense for the Cubs. Not only does he strengthen their roster, but he steals a goal from a top-tier competitor.
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