Friction between the Phillies and Matt Strahm: he is traded to the Royals

Just last week, the Kansas City Royals traded left-handed pitcher Angel Zerpa to the Milwaukee Brewers in return for the services of outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed gunner Nick Mears. While, on the surface, this deal goes to the Royals' advantage, it still leaves a hole in the relief bullpen.

This morning (Friday), however, the Missouri outfit remedied the situation. According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the Royals acquired reliever Matt Strahm from the Philadelphia Phillies, sending right-hander Jonathan Bowlan to the City of Brotherly Love.

Matt Strahm traded to Royals @ByRobertMurray 1st

– Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 19, 2025

It seems there was some friction between the reliever and his club, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. So the Phillies are taking a chance on sending Strahm elsewhere, since he's become one of the most reliable left-handers in Major League Baseball, posting a 2.71 earned-run average and retiring 257 batters on strikes in 212 and two-thirds innings on the mound with Philadelphia over the past three campaigns.

Not only is the 34-year-old an iron man, but he'll more than fill the role of eighth-inning reliever in Kansas City, who should set the table for all-star closer Carlos Estevez.

Strahm doesn't command a crazy salary, as evidenced by the $7.5 million he'll earn in 2026. However, he will become a free agent at the end of next season, while Bowlan is under team control until 2031. Bowlan posted a 3.86 earned-run average in 44 1/3 innings of work this season, striking out 46 batters.

When it comes to a transaction involving relievers, it's hard to declare a winner, but once again the Royals seem to be on the right side of the equation.

This content was created with the help of AI.