Phillies 'likely' to trade beloved lefty reliever, per ESPN's Jeff Passan

Matt Sullivan

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Phillies 'likely' to trade beloved lefty reliever, per ESPN's Jeff Passan image

The Philadelphia Phillies have been active this offseason, signing Kyle Schwarber to a five-year contract, Adolis Garcia to a one-year deal, and righty reliever Brad Keller to a two-year deal.

But the Phillies are far from done. They need to add a catcher, a right-handed outfield bat, and could also add to their pitching staff in the bullpen or the rotation.

Additions aren't the only thing on the table, as the Phillies are also exploring potential trades. ESPN's Jeff Passan revealed one Phillies player is likely to be traded, and it's not Alec Bohm or Nick Castellanos. Instead, it's beloved lefty reliever Matt Strahm.

Phillies trade of Matt Strahm viewed as 'likely' per ESPN's Jeff Passan

"An array of left-handers, from Sean Newcomb to Taylor Rogers to Danny Coulombe, could be snatched up soon," Passan writes, "though the best available one is Matt Strahm, who is likely to be traded by Philadelphia."

Strahm is not only a trade candidate but likely to be traded soon, according to Passan. The 34-year-old left-hander is under club control for the 2026 season, and he's making $7.5 million.

With the lack of lefty options on the roster - Jose Alvarado, Taner Banks, and Strahm - trading arguably their best left-hander is a strange option for the Phillies.

But, as seen with the Washington Nationals trading Jose Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners, Strahm could be a very valuable trade piece. Good left-handed relievers are seldom available, and the Phillies could try to cash in this winter.

More: Phillies receiving trade interest from Mariners on $7.5 million lefty reliever

Strahm is likely the Phillies' best trade chip this winter, who has a realistic chance of being dealt. Castellanos is someone no one wants, and Bohm has some unknowns about his game, which makes a trade trickier.

But Strahm, who is an All-Star coming off a 2.74 ERA season and a 1.87 ERA season in 2025 and 2024, respectively, is someone who could fetch a strong return this offseason.

The Phillies would still have Alvarado and Banks as lefty options, and if they could land an improvement elsewhere on the roster with Strahm, a trade makes some sense.

There is some risk, since Strahm is the best lefty on the roster. But, with Brad Keller as the set-up man and Jhoan Duran as the closer, the Phillies can afford to ship off Strahm, especially if the return is great.

Strahm is "likely" to be traded by the Phillies this winter, and while the 34-year-old is the best lefty on the Phillies roster, he could fetch a worthwhile return in a trade.

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Contributing Writer