Reds closing in on agreement for some much needed Alexis Diaz insurance

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cincinnati Reds are reportedly deep in negotiations with free agent reliever Carlos Estévez. The right-hander has been on the Reds' radar throughout the offseason, and would provide some much needed depth at the backend of the team's bullpen.

Estévez, the former Los Angeles Angels' closer, was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies at the MLB trade deadline last year. Estévez made 54 appearances in 2024 and recorded 26 saves while posting a 2.45 ERA and 0.909 WHIP.

Reds close to signing former Angels closer Carlos Estévez

If the Reds are able to seal the deal, adding Estévez would add some much needed insurance at the backend of the Cincinnati bullpen following closer Alexis Díaz's an up-and-down season in 2024. The Reds traded Fernando Cruz to the New York Yankees earlier this offseason, and while many Reds fans have chastised the team's lack of outfield depth, the bullpen has been neglected this winter.

The Reds have not been the only team linked to Estévez this offseason. More recently, Estévez was drawing interest from the Toronto Blue Jays, but the veteran reliever has also been coveted by two other AL East teams — the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

The relief market has been heating up in recent days, with the Los Angeles Dodgers agreeing to contracts with both Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates. Estévez represents, arguably, the best reliever remaining on the free agent market, and would be quite the acquisition if Nick Krall and the Reds front office are able to get the deal across the finish line.

At the moment, the Reds bullpen consists of Díaz, Sam Moll, Brent Suter, Tony Santillan, and Emilio Pagán. Cincinnati also has Casey Legumina, Carson Spiers, Luis Mey, Lyon Richardson, and Yosver Zulueta waiting in the wings. The opportunity still exists for the Reds to transform Graham Ashcraft and Connor Phillips into relievers as well, but both will likely head into camp looking to compete for a spot in Cincinnati's starting rotation.

Before free agency began, MLB Trade Rumors predicted Estévez could sign a three-year, $27 million contract. Securing a reliever on a three-year pact is quite outside the norm for the Reds front office, so it'll be interesting to see if Cincinnati is able to close the deal and what the final numbers might be.

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