Matt Strahm is among a group of left-handed relievers that the Mariners are "considering," according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times.
The Mariners are considering Phillies reliever Matt Strahm in their search for a left-handed reliever.
-@A_Jude https://t.co/I6CeRWwssE pic.twitter.com/QyMN1DeyOQ
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) December 4, 2025
That alone isn't front-page news, but it is part of a larger story worth keeping an eye on at next week's MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando.
Back in early November, OnPattison's Anthony SanFilippo wondered if Strahm could become a trade candidate. Matt Gelb of The Athletic later reported that "the Phillies have fielded steady interest in all three of their left-handed relievers since the offseason began," referring to Strahm, José Alvarado and Tanner Banks.
Theoretically, the Phillies could just hold onto all three, with Alvarado's lost 2025 season evidence that it's important to have more than two lefties that you can trust.
However, if the Phillies are indeed looking for ways to shake things up after another disappointing postseason exit, trading from the bullpen — and potentially acquiring a prospect to help bolster a farm system set to soon graduate its top three players — might not be the worst idea.
The Phillies could trade any of the three three lefties, but Alvarado and Banks would seem less likely than Strahm. Alvarado did miss much of 2025 between a PED suspension and a left forearm strain, but the possibility of him setting up for Jhoan Duran is so tantalizing that the Phillies picked up his $9 million option anyway. Banks became an integral part of the Phillies' clubhouse in his first full season, while also posting a 3.07 ERA over 69 games. He's projected to make just $1.2 million in arbitration next year by MLB Trade Rumors, and can't become a free agent until after the 2028 season.
Strahm is a team leader, who has been excellent across three seasons with the Phillies, pitching to a 2.71 ERA over 188 games. He has, however, struggled mightily over the last two postseasons, including giving up a go-ahead home run to Teoscar Hernández in an NLDS Game 1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers this past season. The 34-year-old is scheduled to make $7.5 million in the final season of his contract in 2026, and the Phillies could repurpose that money elsewhere on the roster if they traded Strahm.
While you can make a case for trade of Strahm, the Phillies should tread carefully when considering doing so. In his three seasons with the team, Strahm has been the most reliable reliever for the Phillies. He also brings an edge, and you need to have a few guys like that on the team. Two other guys with an edge are Harrison Bader and Nick Castellanos, and it's possible neither is back with the Phillies in 2026.
Nonetheless, it's Strahm's name that appeared in this story pertaining to the Mariners, not Alvarado or Banks.
Seattle — who finished a win away from the first World Series appearance in franchise history — was linked to Alec Bohm last offseason, and could also be a fit for him if they aren't able to re-sign Eugenio Suárez.
The Mariners also have a 22-year-old catcher in Harry Ford that's blocked by AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh.
We're not suggesting Strahm and Bohm for Ford. But don't be surprised if the Phillies and Mariners are mentioned together frequently this offseason, because they could help each other.
