Yankees Linked to Signing All-Star Reliever to Potentially Replace Ex-Closer

Yankees Linked to Signing All-Star Reliever to Potentially Replace Ex-Closer

Getty Yankees linked to signing Carlso Estevez.

The New York Yankees will have to address its bullpen this offseason and the team is linked to a former All-Star.

The Yankees have Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, Tim Hill as pending free agents, as New York has yet to re-sign any of them.

Now, according to MLB insider Jon Morosi, the Yankees have interest in signing free agent reliever Carlos Estevez.

“Carlos Estevez is among the (many) free agent relievers in whom the Yankees have interest as the offseason begins,” Morosi reported on X.

Estevez could fill the void of Holmes who has been linked to sign with other teams in free agency. The right-hander fits as the Yankees set-up man and can help boslter the backend of the bullpen.

Estevez was an MLB All-Star in 2023 and spent the final stretch of the 2024 season with the Philadelphia Phillies. Last season, Estevez was 4-5 with a 2.45 ERA in 54 apperances including saving 26 games. In his career, Estevez is 27-31 with a 4.21 ERA in 438 games.


Holmes Lost Closer’s Job With Yankees

Holmes was the Yankees closer but lost the job in early September after giving up a grand slam to the Texas Rangers.

The right-hander led the MLB with 13 blown saves at the time of him losing the job. However, Holmes pitched well in the playoffs in a set-up role.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he knew Holmes would be a key part of its roster in the playoffs despite the struggles in the season.

“I never felt like he was far off,” Boone said, via MLB.com. “There was a stretch where he got hit hard a couple of times and lost some saves. But, he never really was erratic with his command, and the stuff was all there…

“I always felt like even though I changed the role a little bit, knew he had everything to handle it. Especially being a really good pitcher. It’s been good to see him really finish the season as strong as he did. And, obviously pitching as well as he is for us right now.”

Holmes finished the year with a 3.14 ERA in 67 appearances. In the playoffs, he had a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings.


What Estevez Brings to The Yankees?

If New York can land Estevez, he would compete for the closer’s job with Luke Weaver. But, even if he doesn’t win the job, Estevez would be a great set-up man for New York.

Estevez is known for his power as his fastball can hit 100MPH. He throws the fastball 61% of the time, while the right-hander also has a slider, a changeup, and a rarely-used curveball.

Estevez gets good swing-and-miss as batters hit just .198 against his fastball last season, while he had a whiff percentage of 23%. However, his strikeout percentage fell from 27.8% in 2023 to 23.6% last season. But, his walk percentage went from 11% to 5.7% last season as Estevez good a job with control last season.

Estevez is one of the top relievers available and will be in line to get a multi-year deal. MLBTradeRumors predicts he’ll sign a three-year $27 million deal in free agency.

Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton

More Heavy on Yankees News

Loading more stories

Related Posts

☘️ Boѕton Roѕter Shаke-Uр ☘️ The Red Sox juѕt рulled off а lаѕt-mіnute roѕter move — аnd іt’ѕ ѕhіnіng а hаrѕh ѕрotlіght on one of theіr moѕt dіre offѕeаѕon needѕ. 😬 ⚾️ Whіle the ѕhuffle mаy раtch thіngѕ uр for now, іt’ѕ cleаr Boѕton hаѕ to аddreѕѕ thіѕ weаkneѕѕ іf they wаnt to contend down the ѕtretch. 👀 Fаnѕ аre аlreаdy buzzіng: іѕ thіѕ а temрorаry fіx… or а wаke-uр cаll for the front offіce?

The Red Sox’s last-minute trade for Ali Sánchez reinforces their need for a more reliable backup catcher behind Carlos Narváez.

☘️ Red Sox Injury Scаre ☘️ Red Sox Nаtіon іѕ holdіng іtѕ breаth — young rіѕіng ѕtаr Romаn Anthony wаѕ forced to leаve the gаme eаrly wіth аn іnjury. 😱 🔥 The outfіelder hаѕ been one of the brіghteѕt ѕраrkѕ іn Boѕton’ѕ lіneuр, аnd fаnѕ аre раnіckіng over whаt thіѕ could meаn for the teаm’ѕ momentum. 👀 All eyeѕ аre now on uрdаteѕ from the clubhouѕe — іѕ thіѕ juѕt а рrecаutіon, or ѕomethіng more ѕerіouѕ?

Boston Red Sox star rookie Roman Anthony was pulled early from their game against the Guardians on Tuesday.

Breaking News: Trevor Story Emerges as Potential Braves Move, Says MLB Insider

MLB insider connects Braves to Trevor Story as offseason target Shortstop has been a black hole for the Braves since Dansby Swanson signed with the Cubs in free agency….

SAD NEWS: Season Over for David Festa as Twins Confirm Shoulder Injury

Twіnѕ’ Dаvіd Feѕtа ѕufferѕ ѕeаѕon-endіng ѕhoulder іnjury Twіnѕ ѕtаrter Dаvіd Feѕtа іѕ done for the ѕeаѕon аfter ѕufferіng а ѕetbаck whіle workіng bаck from а ѕhoulder іnjury, relаyѕ Bobby Nіghtengаle…

Rumors of Orioles Logo Change in 2026 Spark Social Media Frenzy

Orioles fans flooded social media after rumors surfaced about a possible logo change for the 2026 MLB season The Baltimore Orioles have a 62-76 record in 2025, and they…

White Sox Minor League Player of the Month (August 2025): Tyler Schweitzer

As usual, the Barons led the way, posting a 16-11 record and our featured southpaw extending his scoreless inning streak