As we prepare for the 2026 MLB season, Philadelphia Phillies slugger Nick Castellanos’ contract is not what you would describe as a blue-chip asset.
There is one year and $20 million remaining on a $100 million deal that once helped herald a new era of Phillies baseball, but Philadelphia has made clear it has no intention of Castellanos spending that year on its active roster. It was reported in October that the club planned to trade or release Castellanos before the 2026 season..
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However, as pitchers and catchers report to spring training this week, the outfielder officially remains a member of the Phillies organization. According to Matt Gelb of The AthleticHowever, the team has already evolved.
(More Phillies news: Philadelphia team feed)
There is no locker for Castellanos at the Phillies’ spring training complex in Clearwater, Fla., and the club reportedly told him not to report to the complex this week. A resolution to the situation is expected in the next two days, whether it be a trade or a release.
Throughout the offseason, it was rumored that Castellanos had already played his last game for the Phillies., including when the team signed new right fielder Adolis García. Castellanos earned All-Star honors as recently as 2023, but he was below replacement level in 2025, slashing 250/.294/.400 with the second-worst defense in right field according to Baseball Savant’s Fielding Run Value.
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At 33 years old, he’s not expected to be better this season, so the Phillies move on. Any trade will almost certainly see them eat up the vast majority of Castellanos’ money for 2026, as this is an area where they have no leverage unless several teams view him as an unlikely rebound candidate.
Meanwhile, the Phillies appear set to roll out an outfield consisting of García in right, Brandon Marsh in left and rookie Justin Crawford in center for 2026.
