The Royals are bringing back a familiar face, and this time, he's arriving with a whole lot more experience-and a resume that suggests he's ready to anchor a bullpen. Kansas City has acquired veteran left-hander Matt Strahm from the Phillies in exchange for right-hander Jonathan Bowlan. The deal marks a homecoming for Strahm, who was originally drafted by the Royals in the 21st round back in 2012 and made his MLB debut with the club in 2016.
Strahm’s first stint in Kansas City was brief but promising. He logged 56 2/3 innings with a 3.81 ERA and a 4.12 FIP before being dealt to San Diego in a 2017 trade that brought back Trevor Cahill, Brandon Maurer, and Ryan Buchter.
Fast forward nearly a decade, and Strahm returns to the Royals with over 500 big league innings under his belt and an All-Star nod to his name. Simply put, he's not the same pitcher who left town-he's better.
After battling through injuries and inconsistency during his time with the Padres, Strahm found new life in Boston in 2022, which led to a two-year stint in Philadelphia. That’s where he truly turned a corner.
Over the past three seasons, he’s quietly become one of the most effective relievers in the game. In 212 2/3 innings since joining the Phillies, Strahm has posted a 2.71 ERA, a 2.82 FIP, and a 3.01 SIERA.
Among relievers with ten or fewer starts in that span, he ranks in the top 10 in ERA, top 15 in FIP, and top 25 in SIERA. That’s not just solid-it’s elite.
What makes Strahm’s recent run so valuable isn’t just the quality, but the volume. He’s soaked up innings at a clip that most relievers can’t match, giving his managers a reliable, high-leverage option who can handle more than a batter or two. That kind of versatility is gold in today’s game, especially for a Royals bullpen that’s looking to take a major step forward.
Now, Strahm slots into a late-inning mix that suddenly looks a lot more dangerous. He’ll join closer Carlos Estevez and right-hander Lucas Erceg to form what could be the Royals’ most formidable back-end trio since the days of Greg Holland, Wade Davis, and Kelvin Herrera-the group that helped power Kansas City to a World Series title in 2015. Add in middle-inning options like Nick Mears, John Schreiber, and Daniel Lynch IV, and this bullpen has the potential to be one of the American League’s most complete units heading into 2025.
For the Phillies, moving on from Strahm stings, no question. You don’t just replace a top-10 reliever overnight.
But they’re not exactly scrambling. Jhoan Duran remains one of the best closers in the league, and the recent addition of Brad Keller-who was lights out as a setup man for the Cubs last season-helps soften the blow.
From the left side, Jose Alvarado and Tanner Banks give Philadelphia a solid one-two punch, with Alvarado in particular showing flashes of dominance when healthy.
There’s also a financial angle here. Strahm was set to earn $7.5 million, and clearing that salary gives the Phillies more flexibility as they look to retool the roster.
Whether that means bringing back J.T. Realmuto or adding another outfielder to complement Brandon Marsh, Adolis García, and top prospect Justin Crawford, the move opens up options.
But this wasn’t just a salary dump. The Phillies get a potentially valuable piece in return in Jonathan Bowlan.
The 29-year-old righty finally got an extended look in the majors this past season and made the most of it. In 44 1/3 innings, Bowlan posted a 3.86 ERA with a 3.97 FIP, while striking out 25.6% of hitters and generating ground balls at a 48.7% clip.
That’s a strong foundation for a bullpen arm-especially one who comes with six more years of team control.
Bowlan might not have Strahm’s track record, but he brings upside, youth, and cost control to a Phillies bullpen that has its late-inning roles mostly set but could use depth and flexibility. He’s the kind of arm who can grow into a bigger role, and Philadelphia will have time to see just how high his ceiling really is.
In the end, this is a move that makes sense for both sides. The Royals get an immediate bullpen upgrade with playoff-caliber stuff, while the Phillies gain financial breathing room and a controllable arm with upside. It’s a reunion in Kansas City-and maybe the start of something new in Philly.