Phillies 2025-2026 Hot Stove Discussion

[zambonir]

Oh right. An expiring contract but not exactly in the same category as Castellanos or Walker. You could just as easily include Bohm on that list then.

[zambonir]

Keller deal is $4M signing bonus split in two, plus $7M. $11M straight-up next year.

Right-hander Brad Keller and Philadelphia Phillies finalize $22 million, 2-year...

[zambonir]

Some news here: Seth Johnson got his last option year back (or rather, got an extra one).

The Phillies’ quest for pitching depth is similar but different this winter

[bigegypt0417]

Strahm to the Royals for Jonathan bowlan.

https://x.com/i/status/2002028278320599430

[David_Criss]

Decent right-handed bullpen arm with three or 4 years of team control remaining. Was a former top prospect starting pitcher for the Royals, a second-round pick. He got lit up in the minors but has seemed to possibly find some success as a bullpen arm. A few ticks in front of Seth Johnson......

[zambonir]

Well, the reports of Strahm's availability were certainly correct. Cheap controllable arm. Older. A starter until last season (in both AAA and minors).

[David_Criss]

This KC Royals reliever can't catch a break after his latest demotion to...

Guessing he has some options, too.

[zambonir]

Per Fangraphs, he does not (he came up to the bigs and back down each of the last three years). But he's years away from free agency. Not even into arbitration for a while.

[andyb]

Strange trade for a contender to make that really does not need the salary dump.

[Austinfan]

Provides them with an emergency starter, he has four pitches plus a changeup that needs work.
So bullpen depth plus an option in case of injury or they find a buyer for Walker.

I think they've lost confidence in Strahm who turns 34.
FB velo, 94.2, 93.4, 93.4, 92.2.
Still has the slider, but if he can't throw it for strikes on a give night, he's dead meat.

[Jazzhead]

Bowlan is a late arrival because of TJ surgery he appears to have now fully recovered from. Looks like a potentially good pickup with lots of team control. Of course, the trade also qualifies as a salary dump, so we'll have to see when the other shoe drops.

[fish]

Certainly not the player profile I expected them to get back for Strahm, but if their pro scout people are panning for bullpen gold, this is one way to do it. He’s basically a version of Keller with a fastball a tick slower and a need to improve command. Lefties hit him, righties do not. his breaking stuff looks like a problem for righties and lefties so it seems to be something manipulating his fastball could improve. He threw lefties a fastball 43% of the time in 2025. Say hello to a cutter Jonathan.

[zambonir]

Yeah they could be interested in converting him back to starter.

They don't need the salary dump, but they clearly want it. We'll see what else they do with their money though, whether JT or something else or even the deadline.

And it seems they really were just done with Strahm, whether the red flags about his stuff or the fielding practice drama or both.

NBC Sports Philly gonna need something new to put on during rain delays now.

Matt (per his Bsky posts on this) is high on Banks, Phillies must be too.

[Austinfan]

If they could teach him a decent changeup, that would be a weapon against LHs, and make him a potential starting candidate or effective long reliever.
Low cost, very little downside, some upside.

And like I said, they don't think Strahm has much left in the tank, so he'd be buried in a similar role if they kept him.
The 3 batter rule makes lefty specialists less valuable.

[fish]

The 3 batter rule makes lefty specialists less valuable.

Probably too late to point out Strahm is better against righties.

[Austinfan]

Up to now. As his velocity falters, I'd expect RHs to spit on his slider.

The key to a slider first pitcher is a credible FB as a "show me" pitch - when there's nothing to show, hitters can wait an extra ten of second to decide to swing and pass on the low slider.

Kerkering has a hittable FB, but enough velocity that it sets up his breaking ball.

[zambonir]

Haha yeah Strahm was in no way a lefty specialist. To me he was at his best when he gave them more length, but when other pitchers faltered he moved into later/shorter work (and then faltered himself in playoffs).

It may be an even bigger bet on Alvarado than Banks. He hasn't gotten RHBs out when he's not at his best.

[julio]

Some news here: Seth Johnson got his last option year back (or rather, got an extra one).

The Phillies’ quest for pitching depth is similar but different this winter

I have to give Gelb credit here. I've been known to beat him up over some things, but he nailed this one: He wrote that "the Phillies were granted another option year for Johnson," not "Johnson got another option year." It's unusual to see a writer treat options as something that the team gets, and benefits from, rather than something a player gets — as if being tied to one club and held in the minors for several years, rather than being able to negotiate with any club, is somehow to the player's advantage. Kudos to Gelb for getting it right.

[RolenRules]

I am OK with this trade. As others mentioned, Strahm's FB velocity has been declining, so 2025 might end up being his last good year. In exchange, the Phillies get a reliever who is five years younger, who is several million dollars cheaper, and who had a good season in KC's bullpen last year. And if Bowlan doesn't work out, Phils top five bullpen arms are as good as virtually any other team.

Like Z, I am wondering if Strahm's comments about pitching fielding practice (or lack thereof) might have been a contributing factor to the trade. That, coupled with the Phils seeming willingness to release Nick and eat the $20m he is owed, are signs the Phils brass is clamping down hard on dissension in the clubhouse.

[Philsmania]

I wouldn't mind seeing them try to pick up another lefty for the pen, though, at the same time, I realize they don't grow on trees.

And yes, Strahm may or may not be at that point where he drops off quickly. Nonetheless, I thank him for three good seasons for us.