<\/p>\n
The Phillies have freed up some salary and a spot in the bullpen, as numerous baseball insiders reported Friday morning that the team had traded reliever Matt Strahm to the Royals.<\/p>\n
The Phillies later confirmed the trade with a press release.<\/p>\n
With the Phillies up against a sizable luxury tax bill, the trade opens up close to $7.5 million by jettisoning Strahm’s expiring contract. It stands to reason the team wanted to use that money elsewhere, and now it can.<\/p>\n
Strahm, 34, has been an incredibly reliable and versatile pitcher over his three seasons in Philadelphia, posting a 2.71 ERA over 188 appearances, though he was a bit less effective in 2025. He was a late-innings lefty for the squad who also started 10 games as a swing starter. The Phillies have Jos\u00e9 Alvarado and Tanner Banks remaining as the lefty relievers on the roster.<\/p>\n
Jonathan Bowlan, 29, is a surprising pick up for the Phillies, but he’s a big 6-foot-6 journeyman who had a 3.86 ERA over 44.1 innings in Kansas City last season, the most successful of his three different stints in the majors. He is a converted starter and former second-round draft pick who will likely play a role in providing some depth and insurance in both the bullpen and the rotation \u2014 as the health of Zack Wheeler is still an unknown for 2026.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Fans may be frustrated at the seemingly lackluster return for one of the team’s better pitchers, but this is clearly a move meant to add some payroll flexibility.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n SIGN UP HERE<\/b> to receive the PhillyVoice Sports newsletter<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Follow Evan on Twitter:@evan_macy<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n Like us on Facebook:\u00a0PhillyVoice Sports<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n