Royals $7.5M reliever could be 'buy low' trade target after losing trade with Phillies

The Kansas City Royals are not having a good 2026 season. At 38-57, the Royals are 11.5 games back in the AL Central, and despite a very weak AL Wild Card, they're 9.0 games back, tied with the Los Angeles Angels for the worst team in the league.

With that in mind, it would hardly be a surprise for the Royals to be trade deadline sellers later this summer. If they do sell, anyone who's hitting free agency after 2026 is surely on the market.

That includes a $7.5 million reliever whom they acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in a deal they've already lost. This reliever, Matt Strahm, was recently named a "buy low" trade target for teams by Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly. Unfortunately, the Royals will likely have to sell the expensive reliever low this upcoming summer.

Royals' Matt Strahm tabbed as 'buy low' trade target

"At 34, he may no longer be that guy, but a contending team will bring him in and try to figure it out," Kelly writes. "At 37-54, the Royals have no reason to hold onto Strahm, who is making $7.5 million in the final year of his contract."

With Kansas City's season going south, trading away players at the deadline makes sense. Strahm, the veteran left-handed reliever, is an obvious trade candidate.

He's a free agent after 2026, and while his 5.81 ERA and -0.4 bWAR will make him a lot less valuable in a deal, the Royals should be able to get something in return for the former Phillies All-Star.

MORE: Phillies trade idea lands Jung Hoo Lee and Robbie Ray from Giants for 2 prospects

The Royals gave up Jonathan Bowlan to get Strahm, and while the Royals' lefty has struggled, Bowlan has a 3.14 ERA for the Phillies and has been solid.

Despite the Royals losing this trade and the struggles of Strahm so far this season, some team is surely willing to take a chance on Strahm. He had a 2.74 ERA in 66 games last season, and a 1.87 ERA in 66 games the year before that. That's worth taking a chance on.

While the Royals aren't likely to get much in return for Strahm, it would still make sense to trade him this summer, as anything in return for Strahm would be worth more than letting him walk after the season comes to a close.

Parting with Strahm as a "buy low" trade target would be disappointing, but it's better than the alternative amid a disastrous 2026 season for Kansas City.

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