The Phillies announced that they have acquired left-hander Kyle Backhus from the Diamondbacks. Minor league outfielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu goes in the other direction. The move opens a 40-man spot for Arizona, which should allow them to make their agreement with Merrill Kelly official. Philly’s 40-man count goes from 37 to 38.
Backhus debuted for the Diamondbacks this past season. The 27-year-old scuffled to a 4.62 ERA across 32 appearances. Arizona’s ever-changing mix of late-inning options allowed Backhus to factor into high-leverage situations, and he recorded a pair of saves and 10 holds. He notched a one-out save in his final appearance with the big-league club, coaxing a flyout with the bases loaded to finish off a 6-4 victory in mid-September. He was sent back to Triple-A Reno shortly after.
Arizona added Backhus as an undrafted free agent in 2021. After posting middling results in a half-season of professional ball, he began to gain traction as a backend reliever. Backhus posted a hefty 34.5% strikeout rate between High-A and Double-A in 2022, earning three saves at each level. He locked down 10 more saves at Double-A the following season, leading to a promotion to Triple-A. Injuries limited Backhus to 35 2/3 innings in 2024. He received an invite to Spring Training this year, and while he didn’t break camp with the club, a strong couple of months at Reno saw Backhus get the call to Arizona.
Backhus is a sinkerballer who doesn’t light up the radar gun, but comes from a unique slot. Statcast had his arm angle at nine degrees, which was among the lowest in the league. Backhus also ranked in the 96th percentile for extension. Interestingly, the low arm slot and sinker-heavy approach didn’t lead to many ground balls. Backhus had a below-average 37.8% ground ball rate. He did a decent job limiting hard hits, but gave up an elevated amount of contact in the air to the pull side.
The Backhus addition comes on the heels of a trade that sent fellow lefty Matt Strahm to Kansas City. Strahm led the Phillies with 22 holds in 2025. Jose Alvarado will likely step into the lefty setup role vacated by Strahm, with Tanner Banks on hand as a lower-leverage southpaw option. Backhus will serve as a depth option who could step in if injuries or poor performance afflict Philly’s bullpen.
Philadelphia took Owusu-Asiedu in the ninth round of the 2023 draft. He delivered nine home runs and 17 stolen bases at Single-A in 2024, but it came with a .192 batting average and a 36.1% strikeout rate. Owusu-Asiedu was able to trim his strikeout rate to 24% between Single-A and High-A this past season. He also racked up 33 steals in 107 games.
The 22-year-old Owusu-Asiedu has experience at all three outfield positions. He made at least six starts in left field, center field, right field, and DH with High-A Hillsboro.
They traded a Strahm but added a Backhus…
Might as well call him DD Dipoto at this point
Pinching pennies apparently now.
This basically fills the last 40 man spot less one catcher. Anyone know why Crawford does not have to be on the 40 man yet?
Don’t have to add him until he makes the club. Good chance somebody hits the 60 IL to make room then.
wheeler will be going on the 60 IL to start the season.
If you’re under 19 when drafted you don’t become rule 5 eligible for 4.5 years – so the Phillies can keep him off the 40-man till November technically, if they weren’t already planning to call him up to start the season.
Players can be removed from the 40-man and placed on the IL once pitchers and catchers report, which will make room for Crawford, so they’re likely keeping the extra spots open for now for free agent acquisitions.
And Wheeler will start the season on the IL so that scenario fits your explanation perfectly.
Teams have 4 seasons to put drafted players on the 40 man roster (5 years if they’re under 18 when signed).
Crawford was signed in 2022 at 18, so he won’t be Rule 5 eligible until after the 2026 season.
Smart moves by Phillies. Getting 12years of 2 cost controlled RP for a minor leaguer and a RP who’s on a 1 year deal. Phillies need cost controlled players
Maybe the Mets should go ahead and trade Soto for 6 players.
Trade skubal for 6 players.
Musical chairs in Philly to save a few bucks…to bring back JT perhaps?
Backhus going to be 28 next month and last year was his first taste of big-league ball and he didn’t impress. Nothing to see here – he is no Strahm
If he grows his hair out more and starts a card collecting show I could see it.
They got lucky with Jeff Hoffman few years back. It’s a low risk reach.
They weren’t trying to replace Strahm. They were looking for controllable arms. Strahm was gone at season’s end.
God of Wine
Strahm who
Love the name
At least Dombrowski has learned from his past and is trying to re-tool a little bit. Could lead to some middling years, but long-term sustainability is the goal.
I have yet to see a single soul on here that is even close to qualified to hold firm opinions on prospects and minor moves, and yet we are chock-full of bluster and bull***t on the subject.
The Phils went into the winter meetings with 32 spots taken on the 40 man, and were clearly geared up to chip away at making a number of depth moves. How smart (and how lucky) they will be, only time will tell. But they have a top-heavy roster and payroll and everyone was kvetching about “running it back”.
This is one of the ways to slowly change the dynamic – making informed decisions at the roster edges. They have room to make more as well, as there are a few guys on the 40 man that have a rather tenuous hold and could be an upgrade if the league-wide shuffle leaves other options that they like better.
I have no idea if Backhus or Bowlan or Leon or McCambley or Curet will work out, but I am sure that DD & Co. are not just throwing darts at the waiver wire flow charts either. Most probably won’t have much impact, but if they can find something in a couple of the moves along these lines then it will be worth it.
They got controllable arms. They lost a great reliever in Strahm. They freed up salary.
Everyone comparing these arms to Strahm is missing the point as you eluded to.
You’re totally right.
Best post of the day!!! I think Hall of Famer Dombrowski has earned some leeway. He’s forgotten more about baseball than most have ever known about baseball
Backhus in this move, Phillies fans.
Pure stupidity by Dumbrowski