The Padres are taking a low-risk swing on a once-potent bat, signing veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos to a Major League deal worth the league minimum of $780,000 for the 2026 season. With an open spot on their 40-man roster, San Diego won’t need to make a corresponding move-pending Castellanos passing his physical.
Coming just days after the Padres inked Miguel Andújar to a one-year, $4 million deal, this move adds another right-handed bat to a roster that’s clearly focused on bolstering its depth at DH and off the bench. Castellanos, represented by Mato Sports Management, will also get a look at first base-a position he’s never played professionally but one that could represent a fresh start in the twilight of his career.
That positional shift is notable. Castellanos has long been a liability in the field, whether at third base early in his career or in the corner outfield more recently.
A move to first base has seemed inevitable for years, but he’s been consistently blocked by more established options at the position. Now, with Gavin Sheets-a lefty hitter-projected as San Diego’s primary first baseman, Castellanos could slot in as the short side of a platoon.
Ramon Laureano is expected to handle most of the work in left field, while Andújar likely sees the bulk of his time at DH. That leaves Castellanos competing for at-bats in a few different spots, but with Fernando Tatis Jr. locked into right field, it’s unlikely Castellanos sees much outfield time unless injuries strike or Tatis gets a day off as DH.
San Diego’s interest in Castellanos isn’t new. The Padres were one of several teams keeping tabs as the Phillies tried to move the veteran slugger via trade this offseason.
According to reports, the two sides had trade discussions, but ultimately, no deal materialized. With Philadelphia openly shopping Castellanos for months, other clubs-including the Padres-opted to wait it out.
Once the Phillies released him, San Diego pounced without having to give up any assets.
Financially, the Padres are getting Castellanos on a bargain. His $780K salary will be offset against the $20 million he’s still owed by the Phillies for 2026, meaning Philadelphia remains on the hook for $19.22 million-the final year of the five-year, $100 million contract he signed during the 2021-22 offseason.
That deal never lived up to expectations. Over four seasons and nearly 2,500 plate appearances in a Phillies uniform, Castellanos posted a .260/.306/.426 slash line with 82 home runs, good for a 100 wRC+-exactly league average. His overall value was limited, with just 0.8 fWAR during his time in Philadelphia, thanks in large part to consistently poor defense in right field.
The defensive struggles were compounded by a lack of flexibility in the Phillies’ roster. With Kyle Schwarber locked into the DH role, and Rhys Hoskins and Bryce Harper handling first base duties at various points, there was little room to hide Castellanos’ glove. That lack of on-field production eventually spilled over into the clubhouse.
Reports detailed friction between Castellanos and Phillies leadership, including manager Rob Thomson and hitting coach Kevin Long. Castellanos reportedly resisted suggestions to alter his swing or accept late-game defensive substitutions.
The tension hit a boiling point last June 16, when he was removed from a game and nearly drank a beer in the dugout mid-contest-an incident that required teammates to intervene. Castellanos later apologized publicly via Instagram, but the moment marked a clear low in his Philadelphia tenure.
Now, at age 34, Castellanos heads to San Diego with a chance to hit the reset button. Whether he can adapt to a part-time role or make a successful transition to first base remains to be seen. But with his everyday-player days likely behind him, this opportunity with the Padres could be his best shot at reviving his career-and his market value-before hitting free agency again after the 2026 season.
There’s a bit of poetic symmetry here, too. Castellanos joins a Padres team that’s had its own share of behind-the-scenes drama in recent years, from clubhouse tension to managerial turnover.
New skipper Craig Stammen becomes the fourth person to hold the job since Opening Day 2020. If Castellanos can bring a productive bat and a fresh mindset, both sides might just benefit from a clean slate.