The Philadelphia Phillies have been active in the bullpen over the last few days. The reigning NL East champions are hoping the recent changes will be enough to turn what was a major weakness in 2025 into a strength for this upcoming season. The changes also put the spotlight squarely on left-hander Tanner Banks.
Two days after signing Brad Keller to a two-year deal, the Phillies traded veteran reliever Matt Strahm to the Kansas City Royals for right-handed pitcher Jonathan Bowlan. Strahm reunites with the team that drafted him in 2012.
Strahm had been a popular name in trade rumors this offseason. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on Thursday that the Phillies were “likely” to trade Strahm, just one day before he was shipped to the Royals.
Tanner Banks set for expanded role following Matt Strahm trade
The Phillies were set to head into the 2026 season with an excellent trio of left-handed relievers. Now, with Strahm out of the picture, the Phillies are down to two southpaws.
José Alvarado is the late-inning, flame-throwing left-handed option for the Phillies, but Banks just became way more valuable to the team. Strahm had been a reliable option late in games for the Phillies across his three years with the team, and his production will be tough to replace.
Banks has been a pleasant surprise since being acquired by the Phillies at the 2024 trade deadline from the Chicago White Sox. A less notable move at the time has turned into one of the top bullpen options for the Phillies.
The Phillies will be counting on Banks now more than ever. Strahm was an All-Star for the Phillies in 2024, during which he had a 1.87 ERA. He also owned a 2.71 ERA in 188 appearances from 2023 to 2025.
Strahm found himself pitching in many high-leverage moments with the Phillies, with most of his appearances coming in the eighth inning in 2025. After being mostly used as a low to medium-leverage reliever in 2024 between the White Sox and Phillies, Banks saw a significant increase in high-leverage situations in 2025.
The Phillies are banking on Banks to replicate what he did in 2025 or even take the next step into being an All-Star-caliber reliever. The 34-year-old posted a 3.07 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP, 10 holds, one save and 61 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings this past year.
It’s a risky move by the Phillies to part with a reliever of Strahm’s caliber. Alvarado has proven to be streaky out of the bullpen with a history of command issues, and if Banks shows any signs of a decline, then the team will be in trouble.