Why a Nick Castellanos Reunion Doesn’t Make Sense for the 2026 Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are in that familiar phase of roster refinement - looking to tighten up the edges, find value in overlooked places, and shore up any potential weak spots before they become real problems. That’s why they’re staying active in free agent conversations, including ongoing talks with right-hander Zac Gallen. But while adding a top-tier arm makes sense, some fans have turned their attention to a more nostalgic possibility: bringing back Nick Castellanos.
Let’s be clear - Castellanos gave Cubs fans some unforgettable moments in 2019. That short stint after the trade from Detroit was electric.
He mashed. He brought energy.
He looked like a long-term fit. But fast forward to 2026, and the reality is this: the version of Castellanos that Cubs fans remember doesn’t exist anymore.
And the current version doesn’t fit what this team needs.
The Phillies Fallout
The Phillies made it official last week, cutting ties with Castellanos and eating the final year of his five-year, $100 million deal. That’s $20 million they’ll still be paying him in 2026, even though he’s no longer on the roster. The move came after a rocky stretch both on and off the field.
Castellanos himself admitted on social media that he brought a beer into the dugout after being pulled from a game in Miami. That incident reportedly led to a confrontation with manager Rob Thomson and the coaching staff - followed by a benching. According to reports, more than a dozen Phillies players were willing to speak on the situation, and the message was clear: things had soured in a big way.
“You can’t disrespect the manager and talk to him the way he did,” one Phillies player said. “You can’t expect it all to be the same after that.”
It’s a messy end to a tenure that began with big expectations. But let’s put the drama aside for a moment and focus on what really matters to the Cubs: the baseball fit.
Defensive Limitations
If you’re thinking about Castellanos as a bench bat, you have to start with this: he cannot play the field. Not “shouldn’t” or “might be a liability.” We’re talking about one of the worst defensive outfielders in the Statcast era.
By Outs Above Average (OAA), Castellanos ranks dead last among all outfielders since Statcast began tracking in 2016. That’s nearly a decade of data confirming what the eye test has long suggested - he’s a major defensive liability. So if the Cubs were to bring him in, it would be strictly as a designated hitter.
That’s a problem, because the Cubs already have a young, emerging bat in Moises Ballesteros who’s expected to take a good chunk of DH reps. Ballesteros brings more upside, more versatility, and frankly, more long-term value to the organization. Adding another DH-only player like Castellanos would clog up roster flexibility, especially on a team that values positional versatility and matchups.
The Bat Just Isn’t the Same
Once upon a time, Castellanos was a force at the plate. His 2019 stretch with the Cubs and his 2021 All-Star season in Cincinnati were peak years, and they earned him that $100 million deal from the Phillies.
But since then? He’s been a league-average hitter - literally.
From 2022 through 2025, Castellanos has posted a 100 wRC+ with a .260/.306/.426 slash line. That’s not terrible, but it’s not the kind of production that justifies a one-dimensional roster spot - especially one that comes with clubhouse baggage.
Even his splits against left-handed pitching, which used to be a strength, have been trending in the wrong direction:
- 2023: .930 OPS, 147 wRC+, 8 HR in 187 PA
- 2024: .830 OPS, 124 wRC+, 10 HR in 170 PA
- 2025: .680 OPS, 87 wRC+, 5 HR in 188 PA
That’s a steep drop-off, and it’s not just the surface stats. Underlying metrics suggest the quality of contact has declined, and the bat speed isn’t what it once was.
Better Internal Options
If the Cubs are looking to fill DH at-bats against lefties, there’s a better option already in-house: Matt Shaw. The 2023 first-round pick showed real promise last season, especially in limited action against left-handers.
In 110 plate appearances, Shaw posted a 125 wRC+ with six home runs. He’s younger, more athletic, and has positional flexibility - all things that Castellanos no longer brings to the table.
The Verdict
There’s a reason why Castellanos is available for the league minimum now - the Phillies are footing the rest of the bill. But even at that price, the Cubs would be paying a premium in opportunity cost. They’d be sacrificing roster flexibility, potentially slowing the development of younger players, and inviting unnecessary distractions into a clubhouse that’s trying to build something sustainable.
The Cubs are in a different place than they were in 2019. This roster is younger, more athletic, and more focused on long-term growth than short-term nostalgia.
Castellanos was a great story once. But this isn’t that story anymore.
So while the memories are nice, the fit just isn’t there. The Cubs need to keep moving forward - and that means leaving the past where it belongs.