The Chicago Cubs are in that familiar phase every contending team knows well-fine-tuning the roster, shoring up depth, and making sure there are no soft spots come crunch time. That’s why they’re staying active in the free-agent market, including ongoing talks with standout pitcher Zac Gallen.
But while fans always love a reunion story, not every chapter deserves a sequel. Case in point: Nick Castellanos.
Castellanos, now 33, was officially released by the Phillies after a turbulent end to his time in Philadelphia. He’s still owed $20 million for the 2026 season, the final year of the five-year, $100 million deal he signed after the 2021 campaign.
Any team that picks him up now would only be on the hook for the league minimum, with Philly footing the rest of the bill. On paper, that might sound like a low-risk, high-reward opportunity.
But for the Cubs, it’s not the kind of move that fits the current roster-or the direction the team is heading.
Let’s start with the off-field issues that led to his release. Castellanos admitted on social media that he brought a beer into the dugout after being pulled from a game in Miami.
That move didn’t sit well with the clubhouse-or the coaching staff. He was benched the next game, reportedly after a heated exchange with manager Rob Thomson and members of the coaching staff.
According to reports, more than a dozen Phillies players spoke out about the situation, with one stating, “You can’t disrespect the manager and talk to him the way he did. You can’t expect it all to be the same after that.”
It was an ugly ending in Philly, no doubt. But let’s shift the focus to what really matters for a team like the Cubs looking to contend: on-field performance and roster fit.
Castellanos' bat once made him a force in the middle of a lineup. Cubs fans still remember how electric he was during that 2019 stretch run after coming over from Detroit.
And in 2021 with the Reds, he put up numbers that earned him that nine-figure contract. But since then?
He’s been a league-average hitter-literally. From 2022 through 2025, his wRC+ sits at exactly 100, with a slash line of .260/.306/.426.
That’s not bad, but it’s not the kind of production you build a roster around, especially when it comes with major defensive limitations.
And that’s the real sticking point. Castellanos isn’t just a below-average defender-he’s been one of the worst in the game for years.
Statcast’s Outs Above Average (OAA) data backs it up: he ranks at the bottom of the list among outfielders since the metric was introduced in 2016. That makes him a designated hitter, full stop.
And the Cubs already have a logjam at DH.
Moises Ballesteros is expected to take on the bulk of those duties this season, especially against right-handed pitching. He’s a promising young bat who brings more upside and long-term value. Adding Castellanos would limit the Cubs’ flexibility, especially in late-game situations or when injuries inevitably test roster depth.
Some might argue for a platoon role-Castellanos against lefties, Ballesteros against righties. But even that idea loses steam when you dig into the numbers. Castellanos' production against left-handed pitching has been in steady decline:
Nick Castellanos vs. LHP (Since 2023):
- 2023: .930 OPS, 147 wRC+, 8 HR
- 2024: .830 OPS, 124 wRC+, 10 HR
- 2025: .680 OPS, 87 wRC+, 5 HR
That’s a clear downward trend, and by last season, he was no longer a reliable weapon against southpaws. Compare that to someone like Matt Shaw, who stepped up in 2025 and posted a 125 wRC+ with six homers in just 110 plate appearances vs. left-handers. Shaw’s versatility and upside make him a better option to fill those DH at-bats against lefties-not to mention he brings more defensive value and roster flexibility.
At the end of the day, the Cubs are building something sustainable. They’re not in the business of nostalgia-they’re in the business of winning.
Castellanos had his moment in Chicago, and it was a fun ride while it lasted. But the version of him that once ignited Wrigley Field isn’t the one available now.
For a team trying to maximize every roster spot, especially in the National League where bench flexibility matters more than ever, bringing back Castellanos just doesn’t make sense. The bat isn’t what it used to be, the defense has always been a liability, and the recent off-field drama only adds more red flags.
Sometimes, the best move is the one you don’t make.