Now-former Philadelphia Phillies reliever Matt Strahm was traded Friday to the Kansas City Royals for right-hander Jonathan Bowlan. Although it's a one-for-one swap, the Phillies shed nearly $6.7 million of salary in the deal. It's always tough to move on from certain players, especially ones that played key roles in the team's success.
Strahm had his moments in Philadelphia, but now it has come to an end after three seasons. He had his ups and downs but found his role in the Phillies' bullpen as one of their reliable lefties.
When the Phillies were desperate for starters in 2023, Strahm offered himself as a longman out of the 'pen. Now, he'll pitch for the Royals, the team that drafted him in 2012. There were hints that the Phillies were trading Strahm this offseason, but no one could have projected it to happen this soon after the rumors started.
Matt Strahm thanks Phillies fans, teammates in heartfelt farewell message
After the trade was made official, Strahm shared a message on social media, thanking everyone in Philadelphia for the support for his play and his family. He began with a message to the fans, that included an apology for not being able to help bring the World Series back to Philadelphia.
“To the Phillies fans, I can't begin to express what you've meant to me and my family over the last three years. I came to Philadelphia because of you. The atmosphere, the passion, the expectation to win. There's something truly special about this city and the mentality here. I wanted nothing more than to bring a World Series back to Philly, and I'm sorry I fell short of that goal."
He then thanked his Phillies teammates:
"To my teammates, it was an honor to wear this uniform alongside you and compete every day with a group that truly cared about winning and about each other. Y'all have not only helped me grow as a player but as a father and husband. I'll miss every single guy in that clubhouse, I've never experienced anything like it."
Thank you! pic.twitter.com/ncHcmbId7z
— Matt Strahm (@MattStrahm) December 19, 2025
He also shared special messages to the Newtown Edgemont Little League and everyone in Newtown Square, thanking them for welcoming his family and making Philadelphia feel like home. He also included a message to the Challenger Angels for making his time so memorable and for cheering him on.
Strahm then finished his message with one final thank you to the entire city:
"Thank you for everything, Philly. You'll always be a special part of my journey."
It's a real tearjerker for Strahm to talk in such a positive light about the Phillies as he's heading out the door. He may have only spent three years in the Philadelphia area, but Strahm's impact was felt on all sides. It breaks Phillies fans hearts to hear how special a role the city played in his career and life, but we can look back on that time fondly.
In his three seasons for the Phillies, the left-hander sported a 2.71 ERA and a 10.9 K/9. He was also an All-Star in 2024 in a career-best year with a 1.87 ERA, 225 ERA+, 0.75 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts across 62 2/3 innings.
Recency bias may leave a sour taste in your mouth, but let's not forget some of the impactful moments that Strahm left on this franchise.