Nick Castellanos’ time in Philadelphia has officially come to an end-and it’s safe to say it didn’t go the way anyone had hoped. After four up-and-down seasons with the Phillies, the veteran outfielder was released by the club just ahead of spring training, closing the book on a tenure that never quite found its rhythm.
Castellanos arrived in Philly with big expectations, signing a five-year, $100 million deal before the 2022 season. But over the course of those four years, he struggled to consistently live up to that price tag.
He posted just 1.3 bWAR during his time with the team and finished with an OPS+ of 100-essentially league average, which isn’t what you want from a high-priced, middle-of-the-order bat. Combine that with reported clashes with the coaching staff and a connection with the fanbase that never really clicked, and it’s not hard to see why the Phillies decided to move on.
Interestingly, the New York Yankees reportedly kicked the tires on a potential trade for Castellanos earlier this offseason. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Yankees explored a deal but ultimately backed off after receiving mixed scouting reports. The reviews were enough to steer New York away, a sign that teams weren’t quite sure what version of Castellanos they’d be getting.
That hesitation makes sense given his most recent season. In 2025, Castellanos had the roughest year of his career, finishing with a -0.8 bWAR despite playing in 147 games.
His slash line-.250/.294/.400-was well below expectations, and his 17 home runs didn’t do much to offset the concerning strikeout-to-walk ratio, which ballooned to more than 4-to-1. For a player once known for his consistent bat-to-ball skills and gap power, that’s a steep drop-off.
Still, Castellanos’ name is generating buzz on the open market. Now that he’s officially a free agent, several teams are reportedly interested in taking a flyer on the two-time All-Star. Among the potential suitors: the Cincinnati Reds-his former team-as well as the Padres, Blue Jays, Rangers, Royals, and Athletics.
There’s a reason teams are circling. Castellanos is still just 33 and brings a veteran right-handed bat with a track record of offensive production.
While his Phillies stint didn’t go as planned, he’s only a couple of seasons removed from a 34-homer, .309/.362/.576 campaign with Cincinnati. If he can tap back into that form-or even something close to it-he could be a low-risk, high-reward addition for a club looking to bolster its lineup.
At this stage in the offseason, there’s always value in a proven bat with something to prove. Castellanos may not be the centerpiece he once was, but in the right situation, he could still make an impact. For teams willing to bet on a bounce-back, the price might finally match the potential.