In a move that surprised no one this offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a deal with top free-agent reliever Tanner Scott. Despite strong interest from the Chicago Cubs, they fell short in their pursuit of the star left-hander, who signed with the league’s top team on a contract featuring deferred payments.
With Scott off the table, the Cubs must now shift their focus to finding another closer for the 2025 season. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi recently linked the Cubs to another high-profile reliever.
“Carlos Estévez’s free-agent market is intensifying following the Tanner Scott and A.J. Minter signings in recent days,” Morosi wrote on Twitter/X shortly after Scott’s deal was announced. “The Blue Jays and Cubs – both of whom had interest in Scott – are among several teams pursuing Estévez.”
While Scott was widely regarded as the top closer available, former Philadelphia Phillies reliever Carlos Estévez is not far behind. Estévez recorded 26 saves in 2024, splitting time between the Los Angeles Angels and the Phillies. Known for his fastball, which regularly reaches the upper 90s, he has the power to dominate opposing hitters.
The Cubs are in dire need of a closer, and Estévez stands out as the best remaining option. Spotrac estimates his market value at $42 million, a price well within the Cubs’ budget.
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