Carlos Estévez has joined Kansas City’s bullpen, finalizing a $22 million, two-year contract with the Royals. The deal includes a club option for 2027.

The Kansas City Royals made Santander a three-year offer and increased it to $66 million, according to sources briefed on the talks. But by the time they presented Santander with their enhanced proposal,

Carlos Estévez and the Royals are in agreement on a two-year contract with a club option, sources told ESPN, adding a veteran reliever to a Kansas City team hoping to continue its run of success after a surprise postseason appearance last year.

Pitcher Carlos Estevez waves to his Philadelphia Phillies teammates in the bullpen in a game against the Houston Astros last August. The Kansas City Royals have reportedly added the veteran right-hander to their bullpen on a two-year, $20 million contract. Photo Credit: Yong Kim/Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS

The Royals add All-Star closer Carlos Estévez on a two-year deal to boost their bullpen after last season’s struggles.

The Royals and reliever Carlos Estévez have agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract, giving Kansas City another potential closer alongside Lucas Erceg, according to a person familiar with the deal.

After their improbable run to the postseason last year, the Kansas City Royals‘ contending window seems firmly open in 2025. This winter they’d already