The future of Nick Castellanos in Philadelphia seems to be coming to an end. Although the veteran outfielder is still on the team’s roster, the signal is clear: he does not have a locker in the clubhouse, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
According to the information, the Phillies told the 33-year-old not to report to the team’s complex this week as the organization works to find a way out of his contract. It appears that Castellanos will be traded or released in the coming days.
A winter that anticipated the breakup
Rumors of his departure began in October, shortly after Philadelphia was eliminated by the Dodgers in the National League Division Series.
The situation became clearer after the signing of Adolis Garcia, a move that considerably reduced the space for Castellanos in a lineup that already has similar profile hitters such as Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.
Castellanos’ numbers are on the decline
Last season was a tough one for the two-time All-Star. Castellanos posted a .250 batting average and a .294 on-base percentage, both lows in full seasons. He also finished with a -1.0 WAR, the worst of his career.
In defense, he has also failed to improve his reputation. Over the past five seasons, he is tied for last in the majors in outs above average (-39), along with Schwarber.
Castellanos’ tension with the manager
Throughout the year there were also frictions with manager Rob Thomson. In August, he was removed from a game by the best fielder Harrison Bader, a decision that Castellanos publicly questioned by stating that “there was no conversation” beforehand
Months earlier, in June, he was sent to the bench for a game after making an “inappropriate comment” to the manager.
The Phillies’ economic factor is key
Castellanos is still owed $20 million in 2026, the final year of his five-year, $100 million contract signed with the Phillies. That figure could complicate a trade, though Philadelphia seems determined to close the cycle.
Everything indicates that Nick Castellanos’ time in the City of Brotherly Love is coming to an end. It only remains to be seen whether it will be via trade or release.
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