This winter, the Philadelphia Phillies are attempting to play in a few other markets. The Phillies must make some financial adjustments if they wish to be active in free agency after signing Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million contract.
Alec Bohm and Matt Strahm are two obvious trade candidates, but the Phillies clearly need to trade another player.
Nick Castellanos, who has a $100 million contract, is probably going to be traded. But the Phillies are “begging” teams to trade for Castellanos this summer, according to Jim Bowden of The Athletic.
Phillies ‘begging’ teams to take $100 million outfielder in trade
“… the Phillies are begging someone to take Nick Castellanos,” according to Bowden.
The Phillies’ desire to let go of Castellanos is not surprising, as it has been widely rumored that this is the most likely move the team would make this winter.
But according to Bowden’s report, the Phillies are having trouble finding buyers for their $100 million outfielder, who owes $20 million in the 2026 season.
It’s not surprising that the Phillies aren’t finding any takers for Castellanos given his league-worst right field defense and offensive regression this past season, which saw him dip below a.700 OPS.
After Castellanos and Rob Thomson spat over a late-game defensive replacement, the Phillies intend to move on. Moving on from him this winter makes a lot of sense given his costly deal, subpar defense, and declining offense.
However, the same elements that increase the Phillies’ desire to deal Castellanos also render his trade market unproductive.
It’s hardly surprising, according to Bowden, that the Phillies are pleading with a team to acquire Castellanos. No team wants a Castellanos, at least not at this time.
For the time being, the Phillies outfielder will have to wait to find out how he leaves the team, but that might change as the summer goes on and players are acquired. He will either be released or traded, and as of right moment, it appears that he will be cut.
