In a move that we all kind of saw coming (though maybe didn’t agree with), the Phillies reportedly have traded Matt Strahm to the Royals.
Strahm being traded has been whispered about all offseason. The team had three solid left handed relievers and the market for them was weak. It makes sense in that way plus the clearing of his salary. However, it being done in the days after their signing Brad Keller, it dampens the enthusiasm of having a really good bullpen for 2026. The price of having a budget, I suppose.
In return, the team looks to be getting Jonathan Bowlan, a right handed reliever. A solid reliever, he gives the Phillies a bit of right handed relief depth that they have lacked for a bit. He pitched to a 3.86 ERA (3.97 FIP) in 2025 in 44 1/3 innings for Kansas City, striking out 46 and walking 17.
It looks like a money saving move, so let’s see how that money is spent.
