The Philadelphia Phillies made a significant roster move just before Christmas, inking right-hander Brad Keller to a two-year, $22 million contract to serve as the club’s new setup man. The signing immediately reshaped the bullpen picture and left the front office with a surplus arm.
With roles becoming crowded, left-handed reliever quickly surfaced as the most likely piece to be moved. Despite being a fan favorite in Philadelphia, he was viewed as expendable given the team’s recent additions and overall bullpen depth.
According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the Phillies have agreed to trade Matt Strahm to the Kansas City Royals. Rumors of an imminent deal had circulated a day earlier, and those expectations were confirmed less than 24 hours later when the transaction was finalized. The move reflects Philadelphia’s willingness to reallocate resources while maintaining flexibility as the offseason continues.
The Kansas City Royals have reached an agreement to acquire reliever Matt Strahm from the Philadelphia Phillies, according to sources cited by Robert Murray. The move sends the veteran left-hander back to the organization where his major league career first began.
With Strahm heading to Kansas City, attention quickly turned to what Philadelphia would receive in return. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported that the Phillies are acquiring right-handed pitcher Jonathan Bowlan as part of the deal, adding a controllable arm to their pitching depth.
Bowlan, a former second-round pick by the Royals in the 2018 draft, has established himself as a capable major league reliever. The 2025 season marked just his third year in the majors, during which he posted a 3.86 ERA across 34 appearances. He logged 44.1 innings and struck out 46 hitters, showing the ability to miss bats while handling consistent bullpen work. Financially, Bowlan remains an attractive asset, as he has not yet reached arbitration eligibility, which is scheduled to begin in 2029. That team control keeps him under contract through at least the 2031 season.
For the Phillies, parting ways with Strahm represents a significant loss. The left-hander was a key bullpen piece, recording a 2.74 ERA in 2025 after an even more dominant 1.87 mark in 2024. Strahm was signed for the 2026 season at $7.5 million and was set to hit free agency afterward.
Rather than risk losing him without compensation following 2026, Philadelphia chose to move Strahm now, securing a younger, cost-controlled pitcher while giving the Royals a proven bullpen arm for the immediate future.