The Toronto Blue Jays have only made minor trades this winter, but trading for Carlos Estevez could put them over the top.
While the New York Yankees add a 102-MPH fastball arm, the Blue Jays have made other small deals. They offloaded one arm for cash and dealt Johan Simon for Chase Lee. Toronto’s biggest bullpen addition has been submariner Tyler Rogers. While they scooped up one lefty with a gift of striking out batters, in addition to signing a 21-year-old arm on a bargain contract, neither of those options will likely help out this season.
Heavy.com has proposed a trade with the Kansas City Royals to acquire Estevez, their closer.
Blue Jays Acquire:
- Carlos Estevez ($10,100,000)
Royals Acquire:
Unlike another recent trade idea (which has the Blue Jays offloading an ace for prospects), this proposal sees the Blue Jays acquire an established closer. Adding Estevez would challenge incumbent Jeff Hoffman for the closer role.
Going the other way is Yimi Garcia, the primary setup man of the last few seasons (when healthy), who is ready for a shot at closing. Addison Barger gives the Royals the utility player they desire, while Brendon Little provides them with a bullpen arm who adds flexibility to their roster.
Carlos Estevez Can Challenge Jeff Hoffman
Hoffman wasn’t a bad closer by any stretch in 2025. In 71 games, he recorded 33 saves and 84 strikeouts in 68 innings. He also recorded a 4.37 ERA and a 1.19 Whip. Not too bad for his first season as the full-time closer.
Conversely, Estevez had a phenomenal year. In 67 games, he recorded 42 saves and 54 strikeouts in 66 innings of work. Additionally, he finished the year with a 2.45 ERA to go along with a 1.06 Whip.
Another thing to highlight is that Estevez has been a closer for a lot longer than Hoffman. Over the last three seasons, Estevez has recorded 99 saves and two holds. The six years prior, he collected 63 holds and 25 saves.
Adding Estevez to the bullpen instead of including Hoffman in the package to acquire him is the key to making this proposal work. Estevez would presumably challenge for the role of closer, and if he didn’t earn it, he would be the likely setup arm.
Carlos Estevez Replaces Seranthony Dominguez
Estevez easily slots in for high-leverage situations out of the Blue Jays bullpen. Between Hoffman, Rogers, and Estevez, there are three legitimate options for a closer or setup role.
He would effectively replace Seranthony Dominguez, who left the team in free agency and signed a two-year deal with the Chicago White Sox worth $20 million. According to MLB insider Jeff Passan, the White Sox are expecting Dominguez to be their closer.
In 2025, Dominguez played in 67 games. He recorded 79 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings of work while maintaining a 3.16 ERA. He finished the year with 20 holds and two saves.
Addison Barger, Brendon Little, & Yimi Garcia All Fill a Need
As far as the Royals are concerned, Barger, Little, and Garcia would all fill a need. In the case of Barger and Little, a need they had before this proposed trade.
According to Anne Rogers of MLB.com, the Royals have a couple of items to check off their offseason shopping list.
“The Royals would like to add one more bat, and a trade remains the best path to do so,” Rogers wrote in early January. “The Royals could also add a veteran utility player to the bench. The bullpen remains a target, even after adding Lange, Mears, and Strahm. Any move would have to prioritize a controllable reliever who can help the club now and in the future.”
“The Royals do not have a lot of relievers with Minor League options remaining. They’d like to add roster flexibility to get them through a long season. Another lefty would be preferred.”
Little checks off both boxes as having one minor league option remaining in addition to being a lefty arm. Garcia also bolsters the bullpen and gives the Royals a legitimate option to replace Estevez.
Barger brings a lot of versatility at a bargain. The 21-home run hitter primarily split his 2025 season between third base and right outfield. He would also be under team control for a while, given he is only 26 and coming off his first full MLB season.
Great trades work out well for both teams. With the Blue Jays adding a legitimate closer to their bullpen to replace Dominguez and the Royals getting several players to plug different holes, this proposal could greatly benefit both organizations.
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