The Philadelphia Phillies' offseason was marked by a bold decision: parting ways with veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos. Despite efforts to trade him, the Phillies ended up releasing the soon-to-be 34-year-old.
It was a tough call, but one they felt was necessary as spring training approached. Even MLB executives support the move, acknowledging it as a necessary step.
In a survey conducted by Jayson Stark of The Athletic, involving 36 executives, former executives, managers, coaches, and scouts, Castellanos was voted the top "subtraction" of the offseason. Interestingly, this decision was made even before his official release on February 12.
The Phillies' willingness to absorb almost all of Castellanos' $20 million salary, despite the luxury tax implications, underscores their commitment to moving forward. Castellanos was picked up by the San Diego Padres for the league minimum, allowing the Phillies to turn the page.
An anonymous National League executive expressed support for the move, highlighting the inevitability of Castellanos' departure. "Best subtraction? I would definitely say Nick Castellanos," the executive noted, emphasizing the clarity of the decision even before it was finalized.
Castellanos' performance had dipped, with a career-low .250 batting average and .694 OPS, falling short of the All-Star expectations set by his five-year, $100 million contract signed in 2022. Despite flashes of brilliance, his tenure with the Phillies was marred by off-field issues, including a notable incident in Miami last June that strained clubhouse relations.
The Phillies are now focused on moving forward, hoping this decisive action will lead to a stronger team dynamic. While it wasn't the path they initially envisioned, the consensus around the league is that it was the right call.