The Philadelphia Phillies have been busy this offseason, adding some key names to the roster - Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Brad Keller, and Adolis García headline the group. Barring a surprise, the heavy lifting appears done, with any remaining moves likely to be smaller, depth-focused additions.
But there’s still one big storyline lingering: the future of Nick Castellanos.
Castellanos, entering the final year of his five-year, $100 million deal, has been the subject of trade chatter for months. And now, there’s a fresh prediction that could finally bring some clarity. According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, the Phillies are expected to find a trade partner - and it’s a familiar one from within state lines: the Pittsburgh Pirates.
A Cross-State Deal in the Works?
Rogers projects that the Phillies will send Castellanos to Pittsburgh, with Philadelphia eating the bulk of the remaining $20 million on his contract - potentially up to $15 million of it. That would leave the Pirates on the hook for just $5 million, a manageable figure for a player with Castellanos’ power potential.
From the Phillies’ perspective, this would be less about return value and more about financial flexibility. Even saving $5 million could open the door to signing a right-handed platoon outfielder, a move that would bolster their depth without pushing them further into luxury tax territory.
For the Pirates, this would be a classic low-risk, high-reward swing. They’d be getting a veteran slugger - one who’s shown he can pop 30 homers in a season - at a steep discount. And with a young roster still finding its identity, adding a bat like Castellanos could provide a stabilizing presence in the middle of the order.
Why This Makes Sense for Philly
The writing’s been on the wall for Castellanos in Philadelphia. While he’s had his moments, the Phillies have clearly been looking to move on this offseason. Whether it’s due to roster fit, payroll constraints, or simply a desire to reset, it’s become increasingly clear that Castellanos isn’t part of the long-term plan.
And with 2026 looming - a season in which Castellanos almost certainly won’t be on the roster - the front office has every reason to find a trade partner now, even if it means eating a significant chunk of salary to get it done.
In this scenario, the Phillies wouldn’t be expecting much in return. A low-level prospect or even just cash considerations would be enough to pull the trigger. The real win would be the cap relief and the chance to reallocate resources toward more flexible roster pieces.
A Smart Gamble for the Pirates
Meanwhile, for Pittsburgh, this would be a calculated risk worth taking. They wouldn’t be giving up much - if anything - and they’d be adding a proven bat to a lineup that could use some veteran juice. At just $5 million, Castellanos would be a bargain, especially if he finds his power stroke in a new environment.
There’s no guarantee he’ll return to peak form, but even a league-average version of Castellanos brings value to a Pirates team looking to take a step forward. And if he does heat up, he could become a trade chip at the deadline - or a key contributor in a surprise playoff push.
Bottom Line
This predicted deal doesn’t just make sense - it feels like the kind of move that benefits both sides. The Phillies get some financial breathing room and clear space for younger, more versatile talent. The Pirates get a potential middle-of-the-order bat for pennies on the dollar.
And for Castellanos? A fresh start in Pittsburgh could be exactly what he needs to tap back into the form that once made him one of the most feared right-handed hitters in the game.