Phillies to trade fan-favorite lefty Matt Strahm to Royals

The Philadelphia Phillies made a big move the week before Christmas, signing right-hander Brad Keller to a $22 million, two-year deal to be the team’s new set-up man.

But his addition to the roster meant that the Phillies had an expendable spot in the bullpen. Matt Strahm, the left-hander reliever beloved by the city, emerged as the most likely trade candidate this winter.

As Robert Murray of Fansided.com reports, the Phillies are sending Matt Strahm to the Kansas City Royals. A report the day prior indicated his trade was likely, and 24 hours later, Strahm is on the move.

Phillies to trade Matt Strahm to Royals

“The Kansas City Royals are acquiring reliever Matt Strahm in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to sources familiar with the deal,” Murray reports.

While the Phillies are moving on from Strahm, what are they getting in return? Mark Feinsand of MLB.com shared the trade compensation for the Phillies, as the Royals are sending right-hander Jonathan Bowlan to the Phillies in this Strahm deal.

Bowlan is a right-hander pitcher who was a2018 second-round draft pick by the Royals, and is coming off just his third season in the Majors. He had a 3.86 ERA for the Royals across 34 games in 2025, striking out 46 batters across 44.1 innings pitched.

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He’s yet to hit his arbitration years, which begin in 2029. That means that Bowlan is under club contract through at least 2031.

Losing Strahm is a big blow to the bullpen, as the lefty had a 2.74 ERA in 2025 and a 1.87 ERA in 2024 for the Phillies. He was under contract for the. 2026 season on a $7.5 million deal, but would become a free agent afterward.

Instead of letting Strahm walk for nothing after a 2026 season, the Phillies have traded him to the Royals, sending the lefty back to where his Major League career began.