The Philadelphia Phillies moved on from popular left-handed reliever Matt Strahm, sending him to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for right-hander Jonathan Bowlan. While Bowlan offers some intrigue, the departure of Strahm represents a significant loss for the Phillies.
Part of what made the trade somewhat palatable for fans was the belief that the $7.5 million saved from Strahm’s contract could be redirected toward a new addition this winter. However, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, that expectation is unlikely to be met — and his report is sure to disappoint much of the fan base.
Phillies make frustrating decision following Matt Strahm trade
“The money saved by dealing Strahm, who was set to earn $7.5 million in 2026,” Gelb reported, “will be applied to Brad Keller’s $11 million annual salary.”
Keller recently signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Phillies to serve as their primary setup man. While the signing itself was reasonable, it now carries added context. In order to justify committing $11 million per season to Keller, the Phillies effectively cleared payroll by parting ways with Strahm.
Despite having a clear need for bullpen stability — and with Strahm already under contract — the Phillies chose to trade him. On its own, the move raised eyebrows, but the possibility of reinvesting the saved money into another roster upgrade softened the blow.
Gelb’s report, however, suggests that the $7.5 million saved from Strahm’s deal has already been earmarked to help cover Keller’s 2026 salary. That revelation is likely to frustrate fans, as the front office appears to have merely swapped relievers rather than strengthened the roster overall.
The Phillies have fallen short in the postseason in each of the last four years, including consecutive NLDS exits despite home-field advantage. Meaningful change was needed.
While the team has made some additions that could help, trading Strahm for a lesser reliever and reallocating his salary toward an already-acquired player remains a questionable decision — and one that figures to leave many Phillies fans dissatisfied.