The Philadelphia Phillies, after clinching the NL East and a first-round bye, got to rest as their competition played in the Wild Card round. During the bye, the Phillies not only rested but also held an intra-squad game that drew 31,000 fans.
But, before the intra-squad game and before the Wild Card round began, the Phillies were still preparing for their upcoming NLDS matchup, which is now confirmed to be against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Shortly before the NLDS began, Matt Gelb of The Athletic shared an important contract update for Phillies reliever Matt Strahm. The lefty veteran got a key contract update on his $7.5 million option for the 2026 MLB season.
Matt Strahm receives $7.5 million contract update
According to Gelb, "Matt Strahm passed a physical that guaranteed his $7.5 million option for 2026."
Two things from workout day:
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) September 30, 2025
- Matt Strahm passed a physical that guaranteed his $7.5 million option for 2026
- Johan Rojas is no longer a consideration for NLDS as a speed/defense guy. He needs time to rehab a quad injury
This option came to fruition thanks to Strahm hitting 60 innings pitched this season, which he reached in the final week of the regular season. Now, instead of becoming a free agent, Strahm is on the Phillies' books for $7.5 million in 2026.
Even if he didn't reach 60 innings, the Phillies likely would've brought him back, as he's been a core part of the bullpen in recent years since coming to the team in 2023.
This season, Strahm had a 2.74 ERA with a 2-3 record in the regular season across 66 games and 62.1 innings with six saves, 70 strikeouts, and an impressive 161 ERA+.
While not to the same level as his 2024 season, in which he had a 225 ERA+ due to a 1.87 ERA in 62.2 innings pitched with 79 strikeouts, he was still a great asset in the Phillies' bullpen this season.
He's even more important in the playoffs, with Jose Alvarado, the team's previous top left-handed reliever, ineligible for the postseason after his 80-game PED suspension earlier in the year.
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Strahm and Tanner Banks are the Phillies' top left-handed relievers, with Jhoan Duran, Orion Kerkering, and David Robertson as the team's best right-handed relievers. Duran is the closer, while Strahm and Robertson will be the set-up men for the NLDS.
The 2024 All-Star has been an awesome player for the Phillies, and he's more than deserving of the $7.5 million guaranteed contract he's now guaranteed.
During Strahm's 2025 season, he's faced 10 Dodgers hitters, allowing just two hits and no runs while striking out four in three games. His role will be a huge one, as he has to cleanly bridge the gap between the Phillies starters and Duran.
With how great the starting pitching and Duran have been this season, Strahm and the rest of the middle relievers will be the target of the Dodgers' offense during the NLDS.
Strahm can more than justify the $7.5 million contract with a strong postseason and could further add to his already strong Phillies legacy this October.
Since coming to Philadelphia, Strahm's 2.71 ERA is over 1.00 ERA better than any other stint he's had in the Majors. The 33-year-old has been great over the last three years, and more than justifies the $7.5 million contract he's now guaranteed after passing a physical.
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