The Cincinnati Reds came into this offseason with a clear need: power. After finishing 21st in both home runs and slugging percentage in 2025, it’s obvious the lineup could use a jolt in the middle.
So when Adolis García hit the open market, a lot of Reds fans had him circled as a dream fit. García doesn’t just hit the ball hard-he hits it loud.
But it wasn’t meant to be. The Philadelphia Phillies saw the same upside and moved quickly, landing the slugger on a one-year, $10 million deal.
That move might’ve closed one door for Cincinnati, but it may have cracked open another. With García now slotted into the Phillies’ outfield-likely taking over in right field-that all but confirms what many around the league already suspected: Nick Castellanos is on his way out of Philly.
And here’s where things get interesting for the Reds.
Castellanos Could Be On the Move-And the Reds Just Gained Leverage
The Phillies have been rumored to be shopping Castellanos this offseason, and the García signing only adds urgency. Castellanos is coming off a tough 2025 campaign-he hit just .250 with a .294 OBP and a .400 slugging percentage.
Those numbers aren’t what you want from a $100 million man. And with $20 million still owed on his deal, Philly has every reason to move on.
The Reds, meanwhile, know exactly what Castellanos can be when he’s right. He spent two seasons in Cincinnati and was nothing short of electric in 2021.
That year, he slashed .309/.362/.576, mashed 34 homers, drove in 100 runs, and earned both an All-Star nod and a Silver Slugger. It was the kind of season that makes a fanbase fall in love-and makes front offices open their checkbooks.
The Phillies did just that, signing him to a five-year deal after that breakout year.
But the fit in Philadelphia never quite clicked. Castellanos had his moments, but his relationship with manager Rob Thomson reportedly soured, and his defensive struggles only added fuel to the fire.
Last season, those issues came to a head-he posted a brutal -11 Defensive Runs Saved and -12 Outs Above Average. That’s not just below average; it’s among the worst defensive showings in the league.
If a Reunion Happens, It Would Likely Be at DH
The Reds have already started to shift pieces around to make room for potential additions. Noelvi Marte, originally a third baseman, moved to right field midway through the 2025 season.
So if Cincinnati were to bring Castellanos back, there’s a good chance he’d spend most of his time as the designated hitter. That would limit the defensive liability while letting his bat do the talking-assuming it bounces back.
Of course, the financial side of any potential deal is where things get tricky. The Reds aren’t likely to take on the full $20 million owed to Castellanos in 2026.
For a trade to happen, the Phillies would almost certainly need to eat a significant chunk of that salary. And from Cincinnati’s end, the return package would be light-don’t expect any top prospects heading to Philadelphia.
This would be more about taking a calculated swing on a proven bat without mortgaging the future.
A Familiar Face, A Familiar Bat-But Is the Fit Still There?
Castellanos still carries the aura of his 2021 season in Cincinnati. He was a fan favorite, a clubhouse leader, and a tone-setter.
But four years later, the question is whether that version of him still exists-and if the Reds believe they can unlock it again. The upside is clear: a middle-of-the-order bat with 30-homer potential.
The risk? A declining hitter with defensive limitations and a hefty price tag.
Still, in a winter where the Reds are hunting for power, the timing of the Phillies’ move couldn’t be better. García’s arrival in Philly has made Castellanos more available than ever. Now it’s up to Cincinnati to decide if a reunion makes sense.
If the dollars line up and the Reds can keep their top prospects out of the equation, it’s hard to see the fanbase being anything but excited about the possibility of bringing Castellanos back. After all, sometimes the best moves are the ones that bring a little bit of the past into the present-especially when that past includes 34 bombs and a Silver Slugger.