Blue Jays reportedly involved in lofty free agent market for 2023 All-Star closer

Entering the 2025 MLB season, the Toronto Blue Jays may be faced with a dilemma that they have not encountered in quite some time. With the incumbent Jordan Romano departing to the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency this offseason, the Jays will be going into the upcoming season without officially having a firm closer set in place. 

However, that may all change if their current pursuit of a former All-Star closer holds any substance. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Blue Jays are among a half dozen teams that have expressed interest in elite reliever Carlos Estévez.

Blue Jays reportedly involved in lofty free agent market for former All-Star closer

For a Jays bullpen that was among the worst in the league this past season, securing the services of Estévez would be a huge first step in the right direction in their hopes to return to relevance. After all, the 32-year-old closer put together his best season of his MLB career in 2024, splitting his time between the Los Angeles Angels and the Phillies. 

In 54 total relief appearances, Estévez compiled a 4-5 record with 26 saves, along with a stellar 2.45 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. He allowed just 15 earned runs on 38 hits with 12 walks and 50 strikeouts in 55 innings pitched last year. More impressively, during a hot 20-game stretch spanning from the end of May to the end of July, he held his opponents scoreless on just three hits, with two walks and 16 strikeouts in 20 total innings of work.

As a result, Estévez showed that whenever he was on his game, he could be one of the most dominant relievers in the business. That is exactly why he has been ranked among the top relievers available in the free agent market this winter across many outlets.

Heading into 2025, Toronto may have some internal options for the closer’s role, with the likes of Chad Green and Erik Swanson in the mix. Nevertheless, nothing beats adding a proven arm like Estévez, who has previously demonstrated consistent success in the role, to anchor the Jays’ relief corps.

On top of that, with the Phillies nabbing one of our best in Romano through free agency this offseason to bolster their bullpen, it just makes sense for the Jays to grab back one of their best from last season as well in Estévez to even things up.