Report: Angels’ top prospect’s early trade with the Phillies may have salvaged their farm system.

Dave Dombrowski was successful in his refusal to deal the team’s best prospects at the trade deadline.

Four transactions were completed by the Philadelphia Phillies before to the MLB trade deadline in 2024. Former Los Angeles Angels closer Carlos Estévez was acquired in one of those transactions.

With 20 saves so far this season and a 2.25 ERA, Estévez is ranked No. 10 in the MLB.

Carlos Estévez’s early trade with the Phillies may have salvaged their farm system.

Estévez was acquired by the Phillies on July 27, only days ahead of the July 30 deadline. Two pitching prospects, both 22 years old, had to be let go by the club, but their best prospects remained in the farm system.

The right-hander’s success with the Angels is something the Phillies aspire to replicate. The 31-year-old has pitched two perfect innings in his two outings to date for the Phillies.

Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, should get a great deal of credit for arranging Estévez’s early trade. Although the initial cost for what might have only been a rental appeared high, it was nothing in comparison to what the San Diego Padres had to give up in order to acquire Tanner Scott from the Miami Marlins.

This season, Scott was an All-Star with the Marlins. This season, the left-hander has amassed 18 saves and an outstanding 1.18 ERA. For the 30-year-old pitcher, the Padres gave up a lot of money.

In order to acquire Scott, the Padres had to surrender their No. 2, No. 4, No. 5, and No. 24 prospects. To put that in context, according to MLB Pipeline, Aidan Miller is ranked as the Phillies’ No. 2 prospect, Starlyn Caba is ranked No. 4, Mick Abel is ranked No. 5, and Hendry Mendez is ranked No. 24.