The Phillies and Royals swap pitchers, Matt Strahm returns to where it all started

The Philadelphia Phillies have not been quiet this offseason, as they are determined to avenge their loss to the back-to-back World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won 3-1 in the NLDS. 

To do that, the Phillies are adding to their already dominant pitching staff (eighth, 3.79 ERA) by acquiring right-hander Jonathan Bowlan from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for left-handed reliever Matt Strahm, according to  The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. 

The Phillies had one of the worst bullpens (20th, 4.27 ERA) even after adding their now-closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins at last season's deadline. Strahm, however, was one of the more consistent arms for the Phillies out of their pen, having a 2-3 record with a 2.74 ERA in 66 games and accumulating six saves in 62.1 innings. Strahm was drafted by the Royals in the 21st round of the 2012 draft and spent two seasons (2016-17) with them, going 4-7 with a 3.84 ERA in 45 games. 

Strahm became available in trade talks, with him making $7.5 million this season. Bowlan is in the third year of his deal before he reaches the arbitration process, and will make an estimated $820,000, per Spotrac.