Diamondbacks, Nationals, or Cubs? Potential Landing Spots For Matt Strahm At The Trade Deadline

[Philip Ruo]

Image courtesy of IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Matt Strahm has not had the best season so far, but neither has most of the Royals bullpen. Strahm reunited with the Royals in a trade with the Phillies this off-season.

In 33 innings this season, Strahm has a 7.09 ERA with a 6.77 FIP and -1.0 fWAR. His expected metrics, however, trend a little bit better with a 3.83 expected ERA and a 5.73 expected FIP. His strikeout rate has drastically decreased to 18.4% compared to 27.3% in 2025. Strahm has also increased his walk, hard-hit, and barrel rates this season while losing speed in his fastball velocity. 

Even though his season has been one to forget, left-handed pitchers with experience in high-leverage positions are always in demand. Maybe a change of scenery can be the difference to turn his season around. Only one year removed from a sub-3 ERA season, Strahm still has the potential to provide value to a contender. With Strahm also set to become a free agent at the end of the season, he could be a cheaper potential acquisition.

Why the Diamondbacks would want to trade for Strahm

The Diamondbacks have the fewest innings by left-handed relievers in the majors. Arizona has called upon lefties for only 35 innings this season, 10 fewer innings than the next-fewest team, the Colorado Rockies. Bradyn Garcia is the only left-handed reliever on the active roster right now. Garcia has been decent this season with 0.8 fWAR and a 1.75 ERA, but Strahm could provide the Diamondbacks with additional flexibility in situations where left-handed pitching is needed.

The Diamondbacks are also on the fringe of Wild Card contention, so if they are not yet willing to “sell the farm” to go all-in this season, Strahm could represent a low-cost, veteran option to hopefully bolster their bullpen depth. 

Why the Nationals would want to trade for Strahm

The Nationals have struggled with their left-handed relievers in 2026. Lefties out of the bullpen have combined for -1.2 fWAR this season across 136 innings. Andrew Alvarez is the only reliever with at least 10 innings pitched in relief with a positive fWAR. Cionel Pérez, PJ Poulin, Richard Lovelady, and Mitchell Parker all have pitched at least 10 innings in Washington but have all produced at below replacement level, and none of them are currently on the active roster. 

The Nationals could use another lefty in the bullpen to combine with Alvarez. Strahm could be an experienced option to boost the bullpen in a new environment. The Nationals have the highest ERA and xERA from left-handed relievers in the majors at 5.02 and 5.74, respectively. Even though the results have been poor, Strahm’s xERA would at least provide an improvement for Washington's underlying metrics. 

The Nationals are not currently in a playoff spot but could be looking to make improvements to increase their playoff odds. They just made a statement trade by trading breakout third baseman Curtis Mead to the Red Sox for Connelly Early, which boosts their rotation. That trade was a clear statement of intent from the Nationals, and adding Strahm would add more veteran depth to their bullpen to help push the team to October. 

Why the Cubs would want to trade for Strahm

The Cubs, much like the Nationals, have a low xERA from left-handed relievers at 4.64, the second lowest in the majors. Their combined ERAs are much better at 3.59, but that difference could hint at some late-season regression. 

The bulk of the innings have come from Hoby Milner, Ryan Rolison, and Caleb Thielbar, and only Rolison has a positive fWAR. Milner is currently on the IL, which would allow space for Strahm to fill in. 

Unlike Washington or Arizona, the Cubs are firmly in a playoff spot and are much more likely to be aggressive buyers. Strahm is unlikely to drastically improve the Cubs' championship odds, but he could be a complementary piece to round out the roster as they prepare for the playoffs.

What do you think? Where would you like to see Matt Strahm land before the trade deadline on August 3? 

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