With a relative dearth of prospects to trade and a number of holes on the big league roster, the Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly been considering dealing away major league players in order to address areas of need. One such strong point that they could consider subtracting from is left-handed relief pitching, in particular former All-Star Matt Strahm.
Luckily for the Phillies, Strahm’s value looks to have received a significant boost in light of the Washington Nationals’ recent fleecing of the Seattle Mariners.
The Nationals and Mariners lined up for a blockbuster on Saturday, as Washington reeled in consensus top-50 prospect Harry Ford and 21-year-old starter Isaac Lyon in exchange for flamethrowing southpaw Jose Ferrer. Seattle had been rumored to be on the hunt for a lefty relievers in recent days, and they got their guy for an astronomical price.
It had been reported that the Mariners checked in on Strahm’s availability, but evidently decided to go in a different direction.
Phillies should look to trade for outfield help due to Matt Strahm's boosted value
Strahm has performed more than admirably in his three seasons in Philadelphia, posting a sterling 2.71 ERA across 212 2/3 innings of work. The veteran left-hander was practically unhittable in 2024, earning an All-Star nod with a 1.87 ERA, and was lockdown once more in 2025. The 34-year-old is under contract for one more season at an affordable $7.5 million price tag, and should drum up plenty of interest if the Phillies are serious about moving him.
The Mariners seem to have set the going rate for reliable lefties sky-high, as they parted with a major league-ready elite catching prospect, one of the rarest commodities in the sport, for a good-not-great young bullpen arm. Phillies fans shouldn’t expect the same earthshattering return for Strahm in light of his higher salary and single year of control compared to Ferrer’s league minimum pay and four remaining years of control, but Saturday’s headlines do indicate an inflated price on southpaw relievers.
If reliever prices continue to go bonkers, the Phillies would be wise to cash in on a short-term asset like Strahm in order to either boost a middling farm system or reel in another big league piece. Teams like the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs have a paucity of dependable bullpen arms as well as a glut of outfielders, meaning they’d match up well with the Phillies in a deal. If a blue chipper like Harry Ford was moved, then perhaps Philadelphia could reel in a well-regarded youngster like Colton Cowser from Baltimore or an established veteran like Ian Happ from Chicago.
Phillies fans would be loath to see a favorite like Matt Strahm leave town, but it may be necessary for the good of the organization. For four straight years the team’s offense has disappeared in the postseason, and 2026 can’t be another repeat. If it takes parting ways with a dependable fan favorite in order to shore up a suspect offense then so be it.
In light of the fleecing the Nationals just pulled off, the Phillies should be licking their chops at the chance to do the same.