When Nick Castellanos opted out of his deal with the Cincinnati Reds after his All-Star 2021 season, he didn’t just leave behind a lineup spot-he left a ripple effect that’s still shaping the franchise today. The Reds had extended him a qualifying offer before he hit the open market, which he declined. That move triggered a compensatory draft pick for Cincinnati when Castellanos signed a five-year, $100 million contract with the Phillies.
That pick? No. 32 overall in the 2022 MLB Draft.
The player? Sal Stewart.
Fast forward to 2026, and Stewart isn’t just a name buried in the farm system-he’s the Reds’ top prospect and knocking on the door of becoming an everyday big leaguer. He made his MLB debut last September and brought with him a jolt of energy and a mature approach at the plate that helped spark Cincinnati’s first playoff run since 2020. He’s expected to break camp with the big-league club this spring, and if his trajectory holds, the Reds may have turned Castellanos’ departure into a long-term win.
Now, with Castellanos freshly released by the Phillies and back on the free-agent market, some fans in Reds Country are wondering: could a reunion be in the cards?
It’s an intriguing thought on the surface. Castellanos was a fan favorite during his time in Cincinnati, known for his fiery presence and clutch moments. And with Philadelphia still picking up the tab on his contract, the financial burden wouldn’t be heavy-something that always matters to a Reds front office that tends to keep a close eye on the bottom line.
But according to Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall, the fit just isn’t there. “I haven’t met with our guys. I don’t know if we have a great fit for him with the guys that we have,” Krall told reporters.
And he’s not wrong. The Reds’ roster looks a lot different than it did when Castellanos last wore the wishbone C.
The outfield is younger, more athletic, and more defensively sound. And while Castellanos still brings some pop at the plate, his overall production has dipped.
His defense, which was never his calling card, has only regressed further. At this point in his career, he’s essentially a designated hitter-and the Reds already filled that role by signing Eugenio Suárez, committing $15 million to bring him back into the fold.
So while Castellanos’ name might stir up some nostalgia, this Reds team is moving forward, not backward. Stewart’s emergence is a big part of that. He’s the kind of player you build around, not make room for.
Other teams are reportedly kicking the tires on Castellanos, and he’ll likely find a new home before spring training gets too far along. But all signs point to that home being somewhere other than Cincinnati.