In a swift move that could reshape the Phillies’ bullpen, the franchise traded left‑hander Matt Strahm to the Kansas City Royals for right‑hander Jonathan Bowlan, a deal confirmed just one day after ESPN’s Jeff Passan hinted the trade was likely.
The Trade
Philadelphia confirmed the exchange, sending Strahm to Kansas City in return for Bowlan. The move came one day after ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the Phillies were “likely” to trade Strahm as they evaluated bullpen depth following the signing of Brad Keller.
Jonathan Bowlan’s Profile
Bowlan, 29, has appeared in parts of three Major League seasons, primarily out of the bullpen. In 2025, he made 34 appearances, posting a 3.86 ERA while striking out 46 batters over 44 1/3 innings. The 6‑foot‑6, 240‑pound right‑hander features a five‑pitch mix—similar to the recently acquired Brad Keller—and leans heavily on his fastball‑slider combination. While he did not qualify for full Baseball Savant leaderboards, Bowlan’s average fastball (95.7 mph) ranked in the 72nd percentile, and he graded above average in whiff rate, chase rate, hard‑hit rate and average exit velocity allowed.
Bowlan is not arbitration‑eligible until 2029, is out of Minor League options, and remains under team control through 2032. The Tennessee‑native was once a well‑regarded prospect in Kansas City’s system, ranking inside the Royals’ Top 10 prospects from 2020 through 2022, per MLB.com.
Matt Strahm’s Contributions
For Strahm, the deal closes a strong three‑year run in Philadelphia. The left‑hander was entering the final year of his contract and set to earn $7.5 million in 2026. He posted a 2.74 ERA across 66 appearances in 2025 and had become one of the most‑reliable southpaw relievers across baseball.
Impact on the Phillies Bullpen
The trade leaves the Phillies with two left‑handed bullpen options in Tanner Banks and José Alvarado. While speculation had pointed to a Strahm trade as a potential contingency if the Phillies fail to re‑sign J.T. Realmuto, the move does create payroll flexibility for another addition as the offseason continues.
Key Takeaways
- The Phillies traded left‑hander Matt Strahm to the Royals for right‑hander Jonathan Bowlan.
- Bowlan’s 2025 stats include a 3.86 ERA over 34 appearances and a fastball averaging 95.7 mph.
- The move frees up payroll space, giving Philadelphia flexibility for future acquisitions.
The transaction underscores the Phillies’ strategy to balance bullpen depth with financial maneuverability as they prepare for the next season.
