The Phillies are not playing around.
They have signed left-handed reliever Matt Strahm, according to Ken Rosenthal and Matt Gelb of The Athletic. ESPN reports that the deal is for two years and $15 million.
Strahm, 31, compiled a 3.83 ERA in 44 2/3 innings with the Boston Red Sox in 2022. In seven MLB seasons, Strahm has a career 3.81 ERA.
Strahm will slot in the back end of the bullpen, joining José Alvarado as the Phillies’ top late-inning left-handed options.
The move most likely puts them over the $233 million luxury tax threshold. Barring an unexpected move in which the Phillies shed salary, they will be paying the tax for a second-consecutive season.
Strahm is the third free-agent signing of the offseason for the Phillies, joining Trea Turner and Taijuan Walker. So far, the Phillies have committed a combined $387 million to three free agents. Of course, much of that money belongs to Turner, who reportedly signed an 11-year contract with Philadelphia.
We’ll have more on this story as additional details become available.