After months of trade speculation, the Philadelphia Phillies have officially parted ways with outfielder Nick Castellanos.
The team announced Thursday that Castellanos has been released. Philadelphia will still owe him his $20 million salary for the season, minus the prorated portion of the $780,000 league minimum if he signs with another club.
Castellanos, who turns 34 next month, is coming off a career-worst season in 2025. He hit .240/.294/.400 with 17 home runs and posted a minus-0.6 WAR, as his struggles at the plate were compounded by poor right-field defense that rated among the worst in baseball. Over four seasons with the Phillies, Castellanos produced just 0.8 WAR.
He also clashed at times with manager Rob Thomson. On Thursday, Castellanos acknowledged that he brought a beer into the dugout after being removed from a game last June.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski indicated early in the offseason that the team would attempt to move Castellanos, but his declining production and salary made a trade difficult. The Phillies waited as long as possible — with position players set to report to spring training Monday — in hopes that another team might absorb even a small portion of his contract. No deal materialized.
With interested teams aware that Castellanos would likely be released, the Phillies ultimately decided to move on.
Earlier in the offseason, Philadelphia signed Adolis García to a one-year, $10 million contract to replace Castellanos in right field. While the two players are similar offensively, García is considered a significantly better defender and is expected to provide a major upgrade in the outfield.
Manager Rob Thomson’s projected regular lineup includes:
- SS Trea Turner
- DH Kyle Schwarber
- 1B Bryce Harper
- 3B Alec Bohm
- LF Brandon Marsh / Otto Kemp
- RF Adolis García
- 2B Bryson Stott
- C J.T. Realmuto
- CF Justin Crawford
Once Castellanos clears release waivers, he will be free to sign with any team for the prorated league minimum. The San Diego Padres were linked to him earlier in the offseason but recently signed Miguel Andújar to fill their designated hitter role. The Toronto Blue Jays could be a possibility after losing Anthony Santander to shoulder surgery, though George Springer is entrenched as their DH.
Non-contending teams such as the Chicago White Sox or Washington Nationals may offer Castellanos his best short-term opportunity. Another option would be waiting until spring training games begin to see if injuries create roster needs elsewhere. At the moment, league demand for a sub-replacement-level designated hitter appears limited.
The Phillies finished last season 96-66 and won the NL East before being eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series. Castellanos started three of the four NLDS games and went 2-for-15 in the series.