Dombrowski on whether the Phillies are done negotiating and why Estevez was the target

Dombrowski on whether the Phillies are done negotiating and why Estevez was the target originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia

When Dave Dombrowski put together his list of trade deadline relief goals, the next three months surpassed the next three years.

They looked at relievers with years of club control far from free agency, but for the Phillies’ president of baseball operations, it all came down to one question.

Which available reliever gives them the best chance to win the 2024 World Series?

They reached Angels closer Carlos Estevez, acquired on Saturday night for 22-year-old pitchers George Klassen and Sam Aldegheri.

“That influences and we look at some guys with control. It’s interesting in our room when we have these kinds of conversations,” Dombrowski said. “The reality comes down to, for me, we wanted the best guy that we thought would give us a chance to win this year. And so there may have been some guys that we could have gotten with control that we didn’t think were as good pitchers in the postseason and we feel like, this time or in the postseason, he’s the right guy.

Like Jeff Hoffman, Estevez is a free agent after the season.

“We got a lot of information about him in terms of the kind of bulldog approach he has. Some people told us he would definitely fit into the Philadelphia mentality,” Dombrowski said.

“Probably a little more than you’d like to give up on rent, but who knows, maybe we’ll hire him when the year is over, you never know.”

Estevez has been on a roll since late May, throwing 18 consecutive scoreless games and putting just five of the last 58 batters he has faced on base. He has a great fastball averaging 97 mph and a plus slider. He saved 20 games this season and 31 last, and although the Phillies have rarely used a closer set under manager Rob Thomson, Dombrowski expects Estevez to be utilized heavily in the ninth inning.

“For us, he’s one of the best relievers in baseball last year,” Dombrowski said. “He’s a guy who can pitch the ninth inning. How Topper in particular uses him, we’ll see, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets a lot of ninth innings.

“We tried to sign him two winters ago when we signed (Matt) Strahm. We ended up losing him then, but we really liked him.”

The trading deadline is Tuesday, July 30th at 6pm. The Phillies’ heavy lifting appears to be out of the way, with Austin Hays filling their outfield spot and Estevez stepping into the backfield of the bullpen.

Are they done adding to the bullpen?

“We feel very comfortable where we are and now we have three people who can shoot on the right wing with Estevez, (Orion) Kerkering and Hoffman,” Dombrowski said. “And then on the left side, we also feel comfortable with (Jose) Alvarado, Strahm and (Gregory) Soto.

“There’s a long way to go until Tuesday at six o’clock, but we feel very comfortable where we are right now.”

What about the rotation, which is currently without Ranger Suarez (lower back pain) and Taijuan Walker (blister)?

“I think we’re comfortable where we are and I think part of that has to do with (Tyler) Phillips throwing the ball well for us,” Dombrowski said. “Ranger, we don’t think it’s a significant injury. Walker made tremendous strides today (in a simulated game).

“I think we’re at a point where we can hold our own for the period of time until these guys come back. Again, if something falls into our laps in the next few days, I’m not saying we would never do it. , but it’s not a situation where we have to do that.”

Phillips had another stellar start on Saturday, a complete game shutout for the Cleveland Guardians. He allowed four hits and walked just two hits in 25 innings with a 2.16 ERA. The Phillies won all three of his starts.

The Phils won the game 8-0 behind a seven-run fourth inning that included two-run home runs by Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh and a three-run shot by Kyle Schwarber. They are 65-39 and have a chance on Sunday afternoon to end their three-game losing streak in the series.