The Phillies have gotten trade calls on left-handed relievers Matt Strahm, José Alvarado and Tanner Banks, reports Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Philadelphia could leverage their bullpen depth for help in a different area of the roster.
All three pitchers are affordable and above-average performers. Alvarado, who’ll make $9MM next season, is the most talented of the group. He’s the hardest-throwing lefty reliever in the game, averaging more than 99 MPH on his fastball. The 30-year-old dominated early in the season and took over the closer role until MLB suspended him for 80 games because of a failed performance-enhancing drug test. That made him ineligible for postseason play, but the Phillies welcomed Alvarado back for the end of the regular season and were confident enough in his ability to exercise a 2026 club option.
Jhoan Duran is locked into the ninth inning now. Alvarado projects as Philly’s top lefty setup arm. He’ll be eligible for the playoffs in future seasons, so it’s unlikely the Phillies are putting much stock in the PED suspension moving forward. Alvarado also finished the year on the injured list with a forearm strain but is expected to be fine going into Spring Training.
An Alvarado trade would be relatively surprising. It’s easier to see the Phils swapping one of Strahm or Banks for someone at a position of greater need. Strahm, who turned 34 on Wednesday, vested a $7.5MM salary for the upcoming season. He’s coming off a 2.74 ERA with an above-average 27.3% strikeout rate across 66 appearances. Strahm owns a 2.71 mark over three seasons in Philadelphia and led the team with 22 holds this year.
While Strahm remains a quality leverage option, the Phillies could have some concern about his trend lines. His strikeout rate dropped six percentage points relative to 2024, when he fanned a third of opponents. He averaged a career-low 92.3 MPH on his fastball and has seen his swinging strike rate dip in consecutive years.
Banks, also 34, is the least well known of the Phils’ lefty trio. He didn’t reach the big leagues until his age-30 season and spent his first couple seasons on a rebuilding White Sox team. Banks was an under-the-radar deadline pickup in 2024 and has turned in a 3.24 ERA with a league average 22.5% strikeout rate over 91 2/3 innings in Philadelphia.
His fastball sits in the low-90s, but he attacks the strike zone with a pair of breaking pitches and held lefty batters to a putrid .172/.213/.243 slash line this year. Banks has held his own against right-handed hitters as well, but he’s the kind of pitcher whom teams generally prefer in a middle relief/specialist role rather than as a true high-leverage arm. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects him for a $1.2MM salary in his first of three seasons of arbitration eligibility.
Teams seeking lefty relief help don’t have many free agent options. Gregory Soto is probably in line for the largest contract. He’s a power arm but has inconsistent command and has allowed more than four earned runs per nine in each of the past three seasons. Drew Pomeranz, Caleb Thielbar, Hoby Milner, Justin Wilson, Taylor Rogers and Danny Coulombe should be limited to one-year deals based on their age. Sean Newcomb or Caleb Ferguson could command a cheap two-year deal but aren’t ideal high-leverage options. Steven Matz, Ryan Yarbrough and NPB returnees Anthony Kay and Foster Griffin are swing types.
It’s a weak group, which could lead teams to turn to the trade market. The Cardinals are likely to move former Phillie JoJo Romero, who is going into his final season of arbitration. The rebuilding Nationals could hear teams out on grounder specialist Jose A. Ferrer. The Rays are down to two years of control on Garrett Cleavinger and would surely entertain offers, but they’re going to have a huge asking price. Every contender could evaluate the bullpen market. The Blue Jays, Giants, Mariners, Diamondbacks and Cubs are among the teams that could use another left-handed arm in particular.
While the Phillies have a good group of southpaws, they could use a more reliable right-handed setup arm than Orion Kerkering in front of Duran. They’re also in the market for outfield help and potentially a depth starter/swingman with Harrison Bader and Ranger Suárez hitting free agency. They’re prioritizing re-signing Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto. They’d need to go outside the organization for a catcher if Realmuto signs elsewhere, as a Rafael Marchán/Garrett Stubbs pairing would be one of the worst offensive duos in the game. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski acknowledged at the GM Meetings that they’re evaluating an otherwise weak catching market as a backup plan in case Realmuto doesn’t return (link via Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer).
When you have Phillies and Lefty in the headline, I still think Steve Carlton
MLB – When you have Philadelphia and Lefty in the headline, I still think of Lefty Grove …. but I’m old. LOL
Fair enough, but Grove spent 9 years with Philadelphia and then 8 years with Boston.
MLB – That’s right, and the Red Sox connection is another reason he comes to mind ;O)
You are correct, the bulk of his accomplishments were with Philly … 900 more IP, won the MVP, etc.
I would keep Alvarado because of his power arm. Strahm has scared me for 3 years. He stuff lost something this year. Banks is good to have. I doubt you get much for them alone but definitely add to a package.
Agreed. Strahm, is 34 and not as effective. Jo Jo Romero would be a better, younger lefty behind Alvarado. If you could even get a better lefty or righty reliever for banks or package him with another player that needs to leave town, do it.
Nice touch!!
Rangers would offer Heim and A Garcia and E Duran for Strahm and Kerkering.
Heim and Adolis are non-tender candidates with almost no value whatsoever, and Duran is a ute that adds little with the bat at all.
Apparently the garbage for two back end relief arms trade aisle is open.
That trade aisle is always open here at MLB Trade Rumors.
And Wyatt Langford and Jack Leiter and $100,000,000,000.00.
I draw the line at giving them Weston…
Throw Kumar Rocker in too.
Phils bullpen is much the improved last 2 seasons
BP Coach has a magic briefcase.
Strahm > Alvarado any day, every day. Compare their careers 2023-2025, it’s not even close.
Except when he blows up
Because Alvarado is a stud? I have far more faith in Strahm, and the numbers don’t lie.
Alvarado is a chunkeroo. Both of them will blow up as some point during the playoffs this year or next.
I’ll drop Alvarado off to a team
Hmm, isn’t Fairbanks a LH reliever? I don’t see him in the authors list of best LH options for teams.
Because he ‘s right- handed.
I’d want to market Alvarado as a relatively cheaper $ closer candidate before I move Banks.
If the Phils create payroll for Tucker or Bellinger, plus Schwarber, I’d definitely swap
Alvarado or Strahm.
I would not have a problem, trading strahm as long as you get value for him. I never thought teams needed more than two lefty relievers. Plus, I think he’s on the downside. I would not trade Alvarado or banks.
It’s so hard to get quality arms, I’d be reluctant trading unless the return was special. Maybe an old fashioned multi player deal.
Strahm was not too quality in the clutch last year.
Personally, I’d like to see them move Alverado — especially if he can get them the most in return. Package him with someone else as well if it gets them a more productive player in return.
Alverado has been solid, but I still find myself worried about his control whenever he’s on the mound. More than that though, the drug suspension bothers me. How long has he used performance enhancers? And how much have they helped his performance?
Without using them now I wonder if his performance will drop off some. Maybe I’m overly concerned about it. But he used them for a reason.
The Phillies need to make some notable changes in my opinion if they want to really have a shot at winning the World Series. Bring back Bader, move on from Schwarber (spend that money elsewhere), trade Bohm for whatever you can and bring in a better 3rd baseman.
This crew just doesn’t seem to have “it.” Nothing personal against any of the players. But it seems they need to change up the clubhouse and bring some new life into it.
The outfield is in shambles, and you want a better 3rd baseman?? Good thing you aren’t the GM
@Phillls
You’re awesome. Never change.
You overlooked my comment about letting Schwarber go and spending that money elsewhere. That’s a lot of money to spend. So yeah, that would involve spending it to fix the outfield. I also said they should bring back Bader. You overlooked that as well.
It’s a good thing people don’t rely upon you to draw accurate conclusions based upon comprehension of materials or comments presented to you.
I didn’t overlook your comments I just disagree with everything you said.
That tends to be common among sports fans. It’s not really a big deal.
I just don’t see any purprose in running it back and hoping for different results with this group.
You are correct. Got to make some changes. Four years of coming up short and it’s time.
In my opinion it was time after the loss to the Dbacks in the NLCS.
1-No reason to move Bohm. He’s a decent 3B at a good price. And you have a replacement coming up.
2-I’m not sure why you think the Phillies don’t have “it”. They were one game short of having the best record in BB. They will undoubtedly be ranked the 2nd best team in BB again this year. They lost 2 one-run games to LAD, plus a 2-run run game. If things broke as they should, they’d be the WSC right now.
“As they should” — what is that supposed to mean?
If they run it back the team isn’t only gonna blow next season. But they’ll be in bad shape going forward should they straddle themselves with Schwarber’s contract (unless the market for him cools off).
The team themselves have made Bohm available the last two seasons. It’s highly unlikely they bring him back after this season. His attitude and maturity has been questioned over the years. They could do a lot better at the position. They might as well get something in return for him now rather than let him go next year for nothing in return.
Just my 2 cents.
KrukHimOut
“As they should” — what is that supposed to mean?
=====================
Referencing the playoffs. They should’ve split the 2 one-run games, and were a bigger favorite in their win than the LA 2-run win.
Your comments are the reason this site should have a thumbs down arrow.
Oh my goodness — a poster that pops on and makes negative commentary while offering nothing of value or any thoughts of their own about how the team should operate… what else is new?
Oh wait — you want to run it back and maybe you agree with the guy that thinks games are played on paper and the Phillies would be WS Champions if things went “as they should.”
Conservatively 10 holes to fill if you factor JT, Schwarber and Ranger walking.
An Alvarado trade has O’s written all over it. O’s have lined up twice on a reliever deal with the Phils. O’s need a real lefty reliever and Alvarado has similarities to Soto.
I’d get rid of Strahm first if we are ranking possibles. He’s a regular season beast, but I don’t trust the deception-based style over velo in the playoffs. Banks I would keep. He’s got the best balance of stuff and mental makeup. I’m indifferent on the cheater Alvarado because he will remain cost effective and is the lone power guy of the three. But his risk is obviously higher if he steps out of line again in 2026. He is also prone to bouts of command problems.