The Philadelphia Phillies are once again weighing a trade for left‑handed reliever Matt Strahm as they fine‑tune a bullpen that has already welcomed a veteran arm.
On Tuesday, during a media availability, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the club could continue to “look for arms in the bullpen.”
By Wednesday, the Phillies had moved on that idea, signing right‑hander Brad Keller to a two‑year, $22 million contract.
Keller’s arrival adds a powerful right‑handed option that complements the existing left‑handed bullpen, which now includes Strahm, Tanner Banks, José Alvarado, Orion Kerkering and closer Jhoan Duran.
Strahm, who is entering the final year of his contract and will earn $7.5 million in 2026, posted a 2.74 ERA across 66 appearances last season.
The left‑yank’s durability and ability to neutralize right‑handers make him a valuable trade chip, especially as the Phillies have expressed interest in multiple left‑handed relievers during the offseason.
In November, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported that the Phillies generated interest in several left‑handed relievers at General Manager Meetings, including Strahm, as clubs surveyed bullpen options across the league.
That report followed the Phillies’ end‑of‑season press conference, where Dombrowski was asked about a comment Strahm allegedly made after the team’s Game 4 loss in the NLDS.
The comment, which referenced a perceived lack of focus on pitcher‑fielding practice, prompted Dombrowski to explain that the club had done “plenty” of pitcher‑fielding work leading into the series and that Strahm himself had not participated.
Strahm reportedly told reporters that the Phillies did not do enough pitcher‑fielding practice, a claim that Dombrowski and Rob Thomson disputed.
Neither side indicated that the exchange affected any evaluation of the player, but the incident added context to an offseason in which the club remains open to bullpen adjustments.
Statistically, right‑handed hitters batted .196 with a .585 OPS against Strahm in 2025, whereas against Keller they produced a .466 OPS.
In addition to Strahm, the Phillies’ left‑handed group appears stable if the right‑handed arm is retained.
Among left‑handed relievers who faced at least 110 left‑handed batters last season, Banks allowed the fewest earned runs in the majors (five) and posted a 1.47 ERA, a mark topped league‑wide only by Tarik Skubal.
Alvarado’s career numbers show he has held left‑handed hitters to a .565 OPS.
With Banks, Alvarado, Kerkering, Keller and Duran anchoring the bullpen, Strahm could serve as a trade chip that addresses the Phillies’ most pressing need: a catcher.
The club has made an offer to J.T. Realmuto, but, according to Todd Zolecki, Dombrowski said on Tuesday that the team “haven’t been able to get it done so far.”
If those talks stall, the trade market could become the cleaner path to filling the catching vacancy, especially given the thin free‑agent class.
Chicago’s Carson Kelly is a possible fit, having hit 17 home runs in 369 at‑bats in 2025 and posted a .761 OPS along with a 3.6 WAR.
Kelly is entering the final year of a two‑year, $11.5 million contract and has a mutual option for 2027 that is unlikely to be exercised, while the Cubs also have catching depth, including prospect Moisés Ballesteros who posted a .868 OPS in his first 20 big‑league games.
A more expensive, higher‑profile option would be St. Louis’ Willson Contreras, who has two years and $36.5 million remaining on his contract.
Contreras moved to first base full time last season, but he was a slightly above‑average defensive catcher prior to the shift and posted a .257/.344/.447 line with 20 home runs and 80 RBIs in 2025.
With the Cardinals holding depth at both catcher and first base, a deal could help them clear payroll, while the Phillies would bet on Contreras’ ability to handle catching duties again.
The organization could also explore a younger solution behind the plate, as a recent trade between Seattle and Washington involving catching prospect Harry Ford and left‑handed reliever José A. Ferrer provides a framework for how teams may value controllable catchers.
Ultimately, the Phillies will only trade Strahm if they believe the bullpen can absorb the loss and if the return addresses a bigger need elsewhere, with the catcher position being the most obvious target.
The addition of Keller, the ongoing scrutiny of Strahm’s performance, and the looming catcher dilemma illustrate how the Phillies are balancing short‑term bullpen stability with long‑term roster construction.
As the offseason progresses, the team’s willingness to look for arms in the bullpen and its openness to trade options will likely keep the market active for both left‑handed relievers and catching prospects.
