The Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly scooped up a premiere reliever in free agency this week when they signed Tanner Scott, who the Red Sox had interest in, and are on the verge of landing another in Kirby Yates.
That leaves little high-end bullpen options left for the Red Sox to pursue. They could go after Carlos Estévez, a 32-year-old right-hander who was an All-Star with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023 and posted a 2.45 ERA to go along with 26 saves and a 0.909 WHIP between the Angels and Philadelphia Phillies last season.
But after a report from MassLive’s Chris Cotillo on Wednesday night, the Red Sox trying to sign Estévez looks unlikely.
“Red Sox have ‘checked in but not serious’ as of this morning,” Cotillo wrote on the X platform.
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The Red Sox would have to beat out multiple teams if they wanted to sign Estévez. The Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs reportedly are all in on the veteran reliever.
Estévez had a mediocre start to his big-league career with the Colorado Rockies and didn’t pitch in the majors in 2018 due to elbow and oblique injuries. He found his stride over the last three seasons and has tallied a combined 57 saves in the last two seasons.
But the Red Sox could be looking elsewhere even as options dwindle. David Robertson arguably is the best reliever available in free agency, but he’s 39 years old and well past his prime. Boston also could explore the trade market to try to bolster its bullpen.
Regardless of the avenue they take, it feels like the Red Sox are still a piece short in their bullpen with the start of spring training three weeks away.
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