Phillies position players are scheduled for their first official workout next Monday. It’d make for an awkward situation if Nick Castellanos is still on the team. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported at the end of last season that the Phils would trade or release the outfielder. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has all but confirmed as much on the record, pointing to the need for a change of scenery.
Keeping Castellanos on the 40-man roster into Spring Training would be a needless distraction. It comes as little surprise that the Phils are motivated to get something done within the next week. “We’re doing everything we can to make a move by (Monday),” Dombrowski told reporters (link via Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer). “I’ll leave it at that right now.”
Dombrowski noted that they’re “(continuing) to talk to clubs” in trying to line up a trade. Whether that’s gamesmanship should soon be apparent. Castellanos isn’t going to net the Phillies any notable prospects. They’re trying to offload a fraction of the $20MM salary he’s owed in the final season of a five-year deal.
A release would leave the Phils on the hook for all but the $780K league minimum, assuming he signs a major league deal with another team. The hope is to find a team willing to eat a couple million dollars of that salary rather than waiting until the Phillies release him. If Castellanos becomes a free agent, he’d obviously have a choice of where to sign. He doesn’t have that freedom if a team lines up a trade that saves the Phillies a little bit of money.
The outfielder’s relationship with Philly manager Rob Thomson seemingly became untenable. Castellanos was benched for a game midway through last season after he made what the manager called “an inappropriate comment” after being removed from a game for defensive purposes. As his playing time decreased down the stretch, Castellanos took a shot at Thomson’s communication skills. Philadelphia signed the veteran skipper to an extension this offseason and added Adolis García on a $10MM free agent deal to replace Castellanos as the everyday right fielder.
Castellanos is entering his age-34 season. He’s coming off a .250/.294/.400 showing with 17 home runs over 589 plate appearances. He has been durable and has twice topped 20 home runs during his time in Philadelphia, but his rate statistics (.260/.306/.426) are exactly league average. That’s not what the Phillies had in mind considering Castellanos is arguably the game’s worst defensive outfielder. He should be a full-time designated hitter but obviously doesn’t have that luxury on a team with Kyle Schwarber.
FanGraphs and Baseball Reference each had Castellanos below replacement level last year. That said, a team that can offer him DH at-bats should view him as a capable complementary bat from the right side. The acquisition cost will be minimal, and a 20-homer season with strong numbers against lefty pitching doesn’t seem out of the question.
The Padres are looking for another bat in the DH/bench mix and made an unsuccessful run at signing Paul Goldschmidt away from the Yankees. The Guardians could use a right-handed complement to lefty swingers Kyle Manzardo, George Valera and C.J. Kayfus between first base, right field and designated hitter. No team had fewer home runs or a lower slugging percentage from their right-handed bats than Cleveland. The Marlins ranked 25th in slugging among righties and don’t have a clear answer at first base, and Castellanos is a Miami native. His old team in Detroit doesn’t have much in the way of right-handed power aside from Spencer Torkelson and could use him in a short-side platoon role at DH alongside Kerry Carpenter.
I feel like their treatment of Castellanos has been strange, maybe even a little unfair. I get he and management have tensions right now, but all offseason they’ve been saying they are gonna move him. Why wait until the last week of the offseason? I’d be pissed if I was him, knowing you’ll be going elsewhere but not really having time to get settled.
They’ve paid him a ton. He tanked 100% of his own value. If they really hate him they’ll ship him to the A’s for nothing and pickup his salary most likely he’ll be released.
Why wait until the last week of the offseason?
Have to wait for every single option to be off the board.
Personally I will hope pray Tauchman has 1 more year in him but gms outside of Chicago hate Tauchman apparently or they would have signed him previous years.
He should really mess with them and report to spring training early and act like nothing is wrong.
And give the cliche interview that he is in the best shape of his life.
liberty – If he does do that, he should immediately make a phone call when he gets there:
“Hello Marjorie, Nick Castellanos. How are you sweetheart? Listen, can you give Mr. Dombrowski a message? If he needs me, tell him I’M AT MY LOCKER! Thanks.”
Right! Exactly!
Fever Pitch Guy , the Seinfeld reference is apt. My name is George, I’m unemployed and I live with my parents
Or act how George did and show up after he was fired.
liberty – Actually if that’s the episode I’m thinking of, he didn’t get fired ….. he quit. Then later realizing how stupid he was to do so, he decided to show up at work and pretend he was just joking about quitting. Classic George!
The episode you referenced is ‘The Voice’.
Yes, when he was a realtor, he and he had Elaine spike the creep bosses drink.
Obviously the suitors for him are lining up around the block!
Be pissed if you were him? At whom? He’s an average hitter at best and awful defender with a bad reputation and a massive price tag. Suitors are understandably few and far between. He’s lucky that money is guaranteed, frankly.
@chiefnocahoma while everything you said is true, the Phillies should have been able to trade him by now. And if they couldn’t because why would any team pick up more than league minimum for him, then they should have released him already.
There’s a lot of logistics that go into going to spring training and it sucks when you don’t know where you’re gonna be and have no control over it. This is a bad look for the Phillies FO, it almost feels malicious or incompetent. Which is the theme for their off-season, I guess
What goes around, comes around. Castellanos is a malcontent primadonna who thinks he’s more important than the team. If he didn’t want to be treated poorly, he shouldn’t have treated others poorly.
He’s getting what he deserves.
I doubt they trade him. Only shot would be to a team no one wants to play on. But let’s face it he may not even get a major league deal as a free agent. Rockies should pay $1M of his salary and trade their worst guy in their organization.
Why should anyone give anything or pay more than the minimum at this point? Clearly no one wants him for more than that. Phils held out hope something might break their way – and I guess it still could – which is their right too. Why should they be extra nice about it?
Phillies FO paid him $100 million over five years and he’s received $80 million over four and in the aggregate delivered negative bWAR, with only one positive bWAR season. They may have to release him and eat all of the last $20 million except the major league minimum. Not surprising they wait until teams look at their rosters and may get desperate and offer something a little more.
It’s tough to find a place for him. His defense is awful. His DRS makes Juan Soto look like a gold glover. With most teams carrying only four bench players, it’s hard to carry a short side platoon DH with no defemsive value, although his platoon splits are not so terrible that he couldn’t be an everyday DH for a second division team. But the Pirates just paid $12 million for Ozuna to be their DH, when they probably could have have had Castellanos (who is also a righty and a year younger) for a fraction of that. Doesn’t say much for Castellanos’ market. While he’s really not their kind of player, I could see the Rays, who don’t look to be competitive this season, taking him on at a couple of million dollars and trading the last year (plus option) of Yandy Diaz for some nice prospects.
SoCalBrave
then they should have released him already.
============================
Couldn’t Casty simply buy his way out of his contract? Tell the Phillies he’ll take $18M if they release him?
SoCal – It’s wise to wait through ST, that’s when teams develop a need due to injuries or poor performance. Injuries always pop up during ST.
As for his being potentially inconvenienced, it may suck but he’s got 20 million reasons to not be too upset about it.
It’s part of being a professional athlete. It sucks to be on the road for 3 out of 6 months every year, but nobody is forcing them to be a MLB player …. they put up with the drawbacks because of the money.
Having to pay him is unfair
Because he held a gun to their heads when they offered him the contract.
Guys like this don’t move early in the off-season. They have to wait and see who missed out on players they actually wanted.
He’ll be golfing or vacationing with his buddy JD Martinez soon.
You’re not him and he has been pissed a long time before this. Dude lives pissed.
The Reds could use him as a right handed platoon but you’re right, he’s a sourpuss and a complainer and you don’t want that around a young clubhouse. Besides he burned his bridges in Cincy and Detroit. It’s actually hilarious how he complains about being taken out defensively yet he’s a butcher in the OF.
Being a Detroit fan, I missed where he burned his bridges in Detroit. That said, he is currently not a fit on the Detroit roster. Jamal Jones performed so well as the RH side of the DH role, it pushed Ibanez off the team.
The Angelsxare a perfect fit.
@roob-explain
They traded for Soler.
If they treated anyone unfairly it’s Bohm. All he’s done is play quality ball and improve his defense while being relatively cheap. Yet the team and fans still talk about upgrading 3B year after year
ohyeadam
If they treated anyone unfairly it’s Bohm. ..Yet the team and fans still talk about upgrading 3B year after year
========================
What’s wrong with trying to upgrade? Bohm has averaged 1.2 bWAR/162. I would think you’d want an upgrade.
They likely waited till now because not a single team is interested in a highly paid DH which is hilarious because these are the types of guys people said would be more valuable if the NL had a DH.
Castellanos brought this tough situation on himself. There isn’t anything unfair about how the Phillies have handled him. It was obvious they would look to move on from his declining contribution and grousing attitude and the process is playing out.
I supported him fully up until he did the little ring thing move the year they ate crow against the D-Backs. That one little thing angered the baseball gods and sent him into a death spiral. I wish him well wherever he goes but you never tempt fate against the baseball gods.
Good luck with that.
Always a good leverage move to announce you have to get rid of a player by a certain date
No such thing as leverage only poor negotiators.
@GOAT Closer Esteban Yan
Its called ‘Pie in the Face’ negotiating style.
I have this 1993 Ford Tempo I have been trying to unload for months.
C’mon pittsburgh
Where are they gonna play him
Same place as Cutch
The Haven at North Hills Senior Residence
Ya está ocupado, señor. 😜
How many DHs can we play at once?
“We don’t need a below average bat who can’t field”
Already have Cruz and Reynolds and Davis and Triolo and Gonzales for that!
B-Rey is the real deal, send him to MIL for I hate to say it Mitchell and some pitching, he would excel with the Crew, has always seemed to crush the ball at AmFam field…..
Hey now, Triolo can field! And Reynolds hits well every other year.
The rest of it, well, yeah.
Yeah Triolo can field. Just typing fast and opps. Don’t put much time effort in especially lil snarky jokes. Got focused on the hitting part. Davis not Triolo level but a solid enough fielder as well. I like Reynolds to be better this year.
We don’t need a below average bat who can’t field.
Can he play 3rd?
He actually came up as a third baseman and he probably even now would be better there than in right field.
But that is not saying a lot.
He would be worth trying out.
You are looking at 20 hrs and a 250 avg but he would make Suarez look like a fine fielder.
Watch his interview with Mookie Betts on how much he hated 3b.
They may have to attach prospects along with eat a big portion of his salary to get anyone to take him on
I think you may be on to something here. I can see this being a possibility.
That’s gotta be their gameplan b/c attaching prospects is the only way they’re going to get another team to take on any of his salary. They (PHIL) must not be offering much prospect value because here we are in February and they haven’t found any takers. Boston surrendered their #8 to clear 16M in the Hicks deal so somebody at the bottom of Phillies top ten list should be enough to get another team to bite.
Johan Rojas, Nick Castellanos, and $1-2 million salary relief to the Angels for Jorge Soler at $16 million and whatever non-roster lottery ticket prospect that Los Angeles is willing throw in seems like.a decent framework to me.
They don’t need Soler at all.
I don’t say this often about a player but he’s cooked. Even the Angels shouldn’t take on the task of rostering him. The Angels rarely DFA players (Moreno’s sunk cost fallacy) and, if he struggles out of the gate, they don’t want him in the clubhouse if he’s benched.
@YBC He’s not cooked, but he has a very specific role he is unwilling to accept without pouting. His one job is as a RH DH platoon versus LHP, or as a late inning bench bat with power. Does the latter role even exist anymore? He should be thankful the Phillies were able to downplay his defensive shortcomings as long as they did. They played him A LOT even when it was clear someone else should be getting more time in RF.
If they are eating the salary. Texas would be a fit to platoon with Joc and
I don’t see using two roster spots on DH.
Nick Castellanos popped up to Kyle Tucker in the 2022 World Series. I can never forget that moment.
He fouled out.
If fair territory, it’s called a “fly out” to OF.
For scorers’ sake; just trying to help your scoresheet.
Okay Mr. Perfect
Everyone should always be scoring at home.
He’s toxic. I wouldn’t want him in my clubhouse
Sounds like he is Angels material then.
That could work for both teams if the Phillies are willing to throw in a couple million and take back Soler and his only slightly better glove.
Both Soler and Nick might as well play without any gloves.
I’d just go get McCutchen if you want good, positive clubhouse bides and mentorship for young players.
The Cardinals could take on a certain amount of salary to acquire a prospect.
They also have catchers and relief pitchers out in the yard too. Make an offer!
Castellanos, 12 mil and some decent prospects for romero and pages. Maybe he hits well and cards flip him at deadline.
Do you really want Herrera as the starting catcher? That’s the only way they can both give up Pages and give Castellanos decent playing time.
Crooks should be the starting catcher over Pages anyway.
Crooks isn’t ready to just be handed a starting job, especially not a position as important as catcher. He was terrible in his cup of coffee last year, and he doesn’t have the prospect pedigree of someone like Winn where that can be overlooked.
Yeah, but Pages isn’t really a starter. He’s the defensive guy to hold down the fort until Herrera proves he can throw or Crooks proves he can hit. Pozo can do that job too.
Pass. He already hates the Cardinals
Young clubhouse that could maybe use some veteran LEADERSHIP…Castellanos isn’t that.
I had the same thought
The Cardinals need a RH OF, not a RH DH. Herrera is already going to take the good majority of their DH PAs when he’s not catching.
Also, they’d be giving up a prospect to avoid paying most of his salary, not getting one, not exactly what they’d want to do.
I wouldn’t give up Pages or anyone else. Just take the salary to get a prospect back. They want another RH bat in the mix so there’s that. And then just cut him loose later if it’s not working out.
They obviously don’t want to try and compete this year anyway so who cares.
BTW, my comment yesterday didn’t consider this “clubhouse cancer” designation given to him by many of you. I don’t know the guy.
Seems like the Phillies grossly mishandled this. They telegraphed that they didn’t want him ruining an already weak market for him. At this point it looks like they just release him and eat almost 29 million with zero return. At best someone might take a million or two and offer a lottery ticket type
Single A prospect. Meanwhile he’s just an expensive distraction.
Phillies would have to give up a prospect to get anyone to take that contract
They are going to have to cover like 17-18 million.
What were they going to get for him even if they played it better? His only redeeming quality is his relationship with his son. He’s a negative on a baseball field.
Detroit could use a right handed hitting DH. Welcome back
Swap Castellanos for Baez plus cash?
No they dont. They have Jones and Vierling as their RH hitting OF, and Perez is a switch hitter.
Castellanos for vierling
Good luck with that
Mendoza won’t be able to sleep until this happens.
I like Dave’s very honest answer.
Mendoza wants them to throw in Bohm, too. Nice idea
He was never a throw in.They would have had to give someone decent up for Bohm even if the Phillies had signed Bichette.
I was being sarcastic, Mendoza.
You’ve been hanging around AI too much then.
Mendoza sleeps just fine thank you,until I have to pee.
I could care less since the guy you hated just last week was just signed.
The main beauty of Nick was that he is cheap.
And he is a better hitter than your man Cutch.
Poor Cutch. I pretty much hosted a roast on him. I like Cutch. I am just not like Washed rooting for a 500 team.
If Cutch comes back in a Rockies or Marlins uniform or something would it be considered distasteful to have a Cutch bobble head night?
Trade Nick to SD and Mendoza can just be a Padres fan.
You are a bad man.
You are dragging Washed down to your level.
Pitchers and catchers are reporting. Kinda late, ain’t it?
Is he a pitcher or a catcher? Didn’t think so.
Most position players report early, especially if they have something to prove. Follow baseball much?
Miami once wanted him.
Why would a team at this point in the offseason trade a few million dollars and maybe some low-level prospect if the Phillies plan on releasing him in like 2-3 weeks anyway, unless they’re willing to attach a prospect just to get rid of him? Just wait it out and sign him for a massively discounted price. They’ve essentially backed themselves into a corner with this, because no team is going to trade for a guy that’s going to get released by the end of the month.
Because any team that works out a trade is guaranteed to get him instead of competing with every other team on the free agent market.
If a team feels they need to trade for Nick Castellanos because they are worried they’re going to miss out on signing him in 2026, they have some much bigger things to worry about.
@Lanidrac I think you and MLB value him very differently.
Is that a guarantee anyone values? And if they were competing with “every other team” he’d be gone already. That’s the problem here.
If a team wanted him unless they were the Rockies who may very well want him they would have to trade for him.
Masa Yoshida for this dude straight up
Yeah right
As a Sox fan, Yoshida is a better hitter but if DD was willing, I’d consider it if the tax money worked for 26. The Sox may be more desperate for a righty bat if Romy’s injury is worse than stated. If Castellanos shows nothing or causes trouble, he’s released but you removed Yoshida’s 27 salary.
The only thing Yoshida can do is hit singles off of right handed pitchers. He can’t hit lefties, has no power, and is an awful fielder. Sox are most likely going to have to just release him.
They have a bunch of righties now and I would trust all of them more than castellanos
Castellanos has provided decent power in the past. Separately, Yoshida gets a bum rap due to his injuries and lack of speed. aHe can overall hit and was valuable in September when the team needed him most. While he’s overpaid, he is a major league hitter.
Hell no. At least yoshida keeps his mouth shut
If he opened it, most wouldn’t understand his rants …
Why would Philly want a DH? They recently bought a guy for that.
Pittsburgh
They just signed Ozuna to DH for them.
I wonder if the Brewers would take a flier on him? Granted, he hasn’t played the hot corner in several years and if there were a trade, the Phillies would have to eat a sizeable portion of that remaining money but they suddenly have a hole at 3rd base and the free agent options aren’t exactly the most appealing.
Dude can’t competently play a corner outfield spot, but sure, lets move him up the defensive spectrum.
it was his original position so there is a chance (not much). There have been guys like Daniel Murphy that couldnt handle the outfield but was capable 3rd 2nd and 1st baseman. .
Daniel Murphy was drafted as a 3B, and that’s what he played in the minor leagues. He only played some outfield and first base when he first came up because of David Wright.
and Nick Castellanos was drafted as a 3b too and played at 3b in the minors and even started his first few years in the majors pretty much exclusively at 3b.
Maybe im confused why include reference?
Also interesting Castellanos played more 3b in his first half a season than murphy for his career.
He’s going to wind up back in Cincinnati and start hitting again like he did when he was there and got the Phillies to pay him all that money to come there. The Reds are going to get the two biggest bargains of the offseason with him and Eugenio.
I’m all for it ! Give them some mid level prospect and 3 mil for his 26 salary. Put him out in LF !
I’d rather put steer there, If Geno wasn’t back that would beam okay option but he is so…
I think castellanos would platoon and not be everyday. He’s going to cut into more of Hayes and McLains at bats but def some of steers too
Wait whiffa, who is?
@big Yep. His bat is Hayes redundant and his glove is negative Hays.
I wish he would. I worry he burnt his bridge though when he signed with the Phils and sorta ran down the Reds FO/owners for not paying to keep him. I think he’d hit 22/85 .260 for the Reds in LF, if he could play it decently, and be had for a bag of peanuts ($2M)
Reds need those numbers even with Suarez ! Hayes’ bat could resurgence this year too. Roll into the season with all these options and let production sort itself out
Maybe Buster sees a clearance sale here and brings over to the Giants, am sure he could play LF better than Ramos and hit DH as well.
A decade older. What could go wrong ?
Hard Pass. (Even for free)
I’d offer to pay $20 for the idiot in hopes he can at least hit.
Phillies are in the same position with Castellanos as the Red Sox are with Yoshida. There is no place for either of them anymore, and both teams will have to eat the vast majority of their contracts if they want to get rid of them. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either of them flat out released by the end of spring training.
Yoshida isn’t a cancer and can actually hit, he just isn’t worth his contract. He’d be great for a team that needs a lefty DH.
I mean if they’re showing their hand with how they want to move him, I imagine some teams not expecting to compete next year could get a good half season out of him and deal him at the deadline. He’s definitely not a great defensive guy, but I could see someone getting value out of the bat at DH. I’m not sure about the rosters for the Rays, Rockies, Twins, White Sox? If you’re not giving up a ton for him and he’s not taking away playing time from a prospect youre trying to develop, you might be able to turn him into some assets. He’s a bit better in the first half in his career but its not a dramatic difference. Someone could definitely get more value out of him than the Phils could.
Generally isn’t any value in a DH with a obp under .300
Provides nearly zero value as a ballplayer. Sign him up.
Dumbo Dave telegraphed Castellanos was done the week after Philly was eliminated. Shocker they still can’t find a taker. Doubling down a week before spring training while adding a deadline should do the trick.
Lets be honest, even if the phils hadnt publicly stated they were going to dump him, there isnt anyone really interested in trading for him to start with.
C’mon Athletics! Pad that payroll with a “star” player on a big monay deal, baybay!
Maybe he can play right field for the Houston Astros.
Stros are looking for a left-handed bat
to offset their right-handed lineup.
They don’t need a cancer to disrupt
the clubhouse.
His mouth is writing checks that his body can’t cash anymore. Mentally he has not accepted his steep decline. That can be very disruptive and terminal for a clubhouse. Only the most desperate organizations need apply.
As there’s a drive into deep left field…
lol.. that goober Thom!
No one is taking any of that contract. He’s getting DFA’d.
Dombrowski needs to be fired for the mess he created and could not fix (1) week prior to players arriving. He is unable to make a trade without overpaying with prospects. He is unable to sign a FA unless he waives 10M in front of them which is usually about 7M more than other teams are offering.
I love all of the anti DD Philly fans. Many Sox fans felt the same way. Meanwhile his teams are typically in the hunt for the championship every season. What more should a fan base want? Yankee fans similarly want Cashman fired every November when the players stink up the field and their season ends. Big market teams should be able to compete each year. Be happy you don’t have John Henry as your owner. While the team has won four times this century, they also finished last in the division in many of the last fifteen seasons.
I have been pushing for a Castellanos for Antonio Senzatela deal for a while now, so I guess I will do it one more time. It probably wouldn’t be one for one, but a package with both sides adding either prospect(s) or cash to make the deal makes sense for both teams. Both players could actually benefit with Senzatela getting out of Coors for the first time and Castellanos getting in there.
If the Phillies eat some money this totally sounds like a Rays move.
As a long-time Rays fan, I can say that picking up weak hitting terrible defenders sounds nothing like the Rays.
No one will bite. He is getting DFA. Just pick him there.
While there are reasonable scenarios that could land Castellanos in Anaheim, Cincinnati, and Denver, I agree that a DFA and subsequent release are most likely.
The Red Sox and White Sox just showed that by adding a prospect with money, a deal could be done. The Mets and Rangers also traded underwater contracts that provided one club with a lesser salary for three seasons compared to more each year but only over two seasons. DD will continue to explore all avenues before just releasing him.
Is he willing to part with prospects? 20 mill for an underperforming headcase is not easy to tolerate… lots of $$$ (12 – 15 mill) or a juicy prospect
Cards have no need for him and his attitude. Not will they pay for him. Sign McCutchen and a much better clubhouse guy
From I’ve rad and heard, He’s a refection of your typical Philly’s fan.
That is suppose to read Nor will they pay for him
Fingers, toes crossed praying the Cardinals didn’t bite. We need a right handed bat but…
And they can; if they take a pennies on the dollar return and kick in 95-99% of his salary
Rays should trade Yandi Diaz and a prospec for Nick. Return: Phillies eat 15 mil of Nick’s contract…Nick DH’s in Tampa.
Or they could not trade Diaz, or a prospect and wait for the Phillies to dfa him and not sign him for the league minimum because the roster spot would be more valuable to keep empty rather than getting him. Good suggestion though….
Shut up, Dombrowski
Um, no.
So short side platoon corner OF (with awful defense) with a mediocre bat, due $20M, and toxic in the clubhouse to boot?
Even the Pirates don’t need that. Wouldn’t want to waste the roster spot.
Somebody will get Nick cheap and probably make him the DH as he can still hit left handed pitchers quite well.
Teams may not want to pay $5 or $4 or $3 or $2 million and give up a player-to-be-named today, when in a few days, they may be able to sign Castellanos as a free agent for $780,000 and not have to trade anyone.
Of course, Dombrowski may have a few friends who owe him a favor and want to move a bad contract of their own, so anything is possible.
I’ve always liked Nick Castellanos and I’ll miss watching him play for the Phils, but I’m happy that hell be able to go to a team where a veteran with his credentials is shown some love and respect. I wish him all the best, and am confident he’ll do well where ever he goes.
When asked where he liked to play, Dick Allen once replied, “I’ll play first, I’ll play third, I’ll play the outfield…….I’ll play anywhere but in Philly.”
The next time you’re wondering why so many of the top free agents don’t wind up in Philly, just remember Nick Castellanos – because therein lies the answer to your question.
so true. this makes the Phils FO look bad. why so long? why announce so long along you’re dumping him? just quietly do it. I’m calling it now, Phils finish third in the division, under 90 wins.
wire, I totally agree. There’s an old saying that when you point a finger at someone, you’re pointing three at yourself. This applies to the way the Phils have mishandled Castellanos since he called Topper Thomson out for not showing a veteran some respect.
I still think that Nick is a decent hitter.
He will come very cheap at $2M
Unfortunately,that is his strong point.
I am not sure what he said to disrespect Thomson when he pulled him for defense.
But the problem with Nick is that he is very proud to the point of being cocky and he is one of the worst fielders in baseball not because he cannot field but because he covers almost no ground.
He must have said something pretty bad.
If he did then I am not sure that they have mishandled him.
Quite frankly though the Philly fans would roast him and Dombrowski is doing him a favor in getting rid of him.
If a team needs a RH DH cheap then he is their guy.
mendy, Castellanos has always been a better-than-average hitter. Unlike many of the higher priced spreads on the Phils, he’s also one of the game’s better clutch hitters.
Thomson disrespected Castellanos first by breaking his streak of consecutive games for no good reason. Putting alleged PEDer Kepler in right field instead of Castellanos accomplished absolutely nothing but alienate Castellanos and publicly humiliate him. That kind of record for longevity and showing up every day for work is important to players who really take pride in themselves and their game.
Why has Thomson never sat Schwarber when he was in the middle of one of his prolonged slumps? Could it be Thomson plays favorites? Could it be this was what Castellanos was reacting to when he confronted Topper? Is this one of the reasons good free agent ball players generally avoid Philly?
Could you picture what would have happened a few years ago, if Topper was managing the Orioles? “Cal, Jr., take a rest today. You’ve already played 2,129 consecutive games. I want to give one of the younger kids a chance to play. Besides, you can start a new consecutive game streak tomorrow.”
As far as Castellanos’ defense, how many outfielders can you name that had nearly 1.000 fielding averages for the 4 years they played with a team? There aren’t many. It’s true that Castellanos doesn’t get to as many balls as the younger, more fleet outfielders might, but none of those guys have Castellano’s strong and accurate throwing arm. So, give the guy the credit he deserves. He’s not a gold glover, but he’s a respectable defensive outfielder who catches everything near to him and throws out runners as well as anyone.
Dombrowski may be doing Castellanos a favor by trading or releasing him, but in retrospect, Dombrowski shot himself in the foot by the way he’s handled the entire Castellanos matter. He may live to regret the day he didn’t intervene on Castellanos’ part and allow him to finish out his 5-year contract in Philly.
All you ever had to do to evaluate Castellanos’ character was to see how he interacted with his son when the youngster was in the stands watching his father play. Every time his son came down to field level to congratulate Castellanos for hitting a homer, I had hope for the Phils and the game of baseball.
So, mendy, I’ll leave you with one final thought. When 300 million people have a bad idea, it’s still a bad idea. Losing Nick Castellanos is not just a bad idea. It’s one of the worst ideas the Phils have ever had. A veteran player has been humiliated and the integrity of the Phillies team has been compromised.
Bucco-That is a pretty dramatic long winded statement.
I thought that he took Nick out for defensive purposes.
He does have a good arm and is accurate,but there is a reason why he had a negative WAR based on his lack of range.
Nick is a hothead,maybe not with his son,but as I said he must have said something very bad to Topper,who is his boss.
Most employees do not get away with that in any sport,business,or profession.
I think that the best thing that can happen to him is to get traded and to keep his mouth shut if the new team tells him that he is the DH.
He has gone downhill hitting for three straight years so it is not an anomaly.
I agree with you though that he is hard worker who has a lot of pride but he needs to temper that if he wants to stay in the League.
If only the Angels could pull this off.
This has Yankees all over it. They need another egomaniac.
Astros for Lance McCullers.
Dodgers for Tanner Scott.
Marlins (with prospects) for Sandy Alcantara.
Phillies need to learn how to play poker, complete misplay of the cards.
Why would any of those teams make the trades you suggested?
I’ve said this before this offseason, but Castellanos and Kerkering for Jasson Dominguez.
Phillies should offer to pay all but $2 million of the $20 million Nick is owed. Making that trade would be good for the acquiring team. First, they get a player who could be worth something to a contender at the trade deadline if Nick shows he still has something left in the tank. Secondly, the acquiring team only has to give up a warm body to get Nick and presumably will get a prospect back at the trade deadline who is better than whatever they gave up.
I’d be selling Nick to other teams as a gamer, never injured that’s comes with a wealth of post season experience and should be plenty motivated in a contract year. Not to mention RH bats have been a commodity around MLB this winter. The Phillies top 5 prospects are blue chippers. But why not call a team like the Astros, Angels or Padres – 3 worst ranked farm systems in MLB – and offer up Casty with some top 30ish prospects or one top 15 guy like Keaton Anthony, that would appeal to those clubs – and take back their unfavorable contract, if it means facilitating the deal without sending cash.
The Astros are looking to shed $10M, reported on this site. How about Castellanos ($20M), Jose Alvarado ($9M), Anthony 1B (#14) + Alex McFarlane RHP (#19) for Lance McCullers ($17M), Josh Hader ($19M) and Jake Meyers ($3M). Houston has a huge hole in LF, with an in-house closing option in Bryan Abreu (who would be set up by Alvarado). They shed the $10M, add the 1B they’re looking for long term with Anthony, plus an upper minors arm. Phillies get a 5th starter to keep the rotation spot warm for Wheeler, a 4th OF’er to take some pressure off our rookie CF (Crawford) that can play LF vs. LHP (in lieu of Marsh). They would also create the most lethal 1-2 back end bullpen duo since Rob Dibble and Norm Charlton guided the Reds to a WS title in 1990.
So you want an AS closer, and a starting 2.4 bWAR CF, and you want to pick up only $10M in salary for those two?
The Phils revealed that they would release him way too early. Why would any team trade for him if they can wait to pay the league minimum after he’s released?
Maybe multiple teams lurking? Giving a bag of balls to get your guy makes sense
still plenty of FAs out there who can be righty platoon DH/1Bs/COF though. Hoskins, France, Flores, Turner, Grichuk, Marte, Pham
It’s hard to believe a FO with that much experience at the top could play this situation so poorly. However, I still think the Phillies will be able to trade him based on his clean injury history and the lack of RH OF bats left on the market.
He’s in a contract year, is willing to play 1B or DH (in addition to OF) and is battle tested in the postseason. Include Johan Rojas and attach two decent prospects, and maybe you get a useful piece in return.
My suggestions were Lance McCullers ($17M), Tanner Scott (3/$50M) or even Mike Trout (4/$142M). If the Phillies are willing to eat 1/2 (or more) of Casty’s $20M AND add in prospects – maybe it gets you a couple of useful pieces like Brenton Doyle/Luis Peralta from the Rockies or Jo Addel/Reid Detmers from the Angels. His best year was with the Reds, we’ll even take K’Bryan Hayes and the $25M or so he’s owed over the next 3 seasons.
The fact that it has taken this long shows the Phillies dropped the ball. Either that or Casty has a bad clubhouse reputation and no one wants him. With as many upside down contracts in MLB, you have to wonder if these executives are just complacent, lacking due diligence needed in finding a trade partner.
My friend, no matter who was in the return, the Angels FO would be thrown out of the building and roasted on a spit if THAT is the return on a Mike Trout trade. All of your trade proposals are extremely far-fetched.
You also have to ask yourself, is he even a RH OF? I doubt anyone would want him to sniff the grass.
McCullers wouldn’t be a bad bad contract swap, but the Astros are not a fit roster-wise. They are actively looking to get rid of a 1B/DH type in Walker, doubt they would want to add one.
Because he won’t drop enough for some teams to pick him up for minimum. By threatening to release him, someone with a need might be motivated to pick up $2M of his salary instead of the minimum.
It’s the right move.
It’s pretty clear that nobody is biting. If I were a GM I wouldn’t be annoyed if I lost to a different team in waiting to try to get him for the league minimum
I think I may have been right about this one
Pirates should sign him and let him play third base again. Go all in on the worst defense of all time.
Pirates should make this move. Take on the salary and let him play right or left. Where ever Reynolds would be “weakest” cause NC isn’t exactly a gold glove defender. Keep the momentum of improving the team. Next is the Rockies. Eat the entire salary and make Philly throw a prospect along in the deal and Rockies send back and lower potential prospects in return. I think CO would be a nice spot for Nick.
Brenton Doyle (GG contender, elite throwing arm, 157OPS+ vs LHP) and the anomaly that is Luis Peralta – would be a fun trade for Phillies fans. Rockies could receive Casty (+$10M) + couple prospects that would mash over there – Keaton Anthony & Felix Reyes. Rockies need INF prospects in the worst way. If a motivated Nick Castellanos got off to a hot start playing his home games at Coors, Colorado would suddenly find themselves with a trade chip. Lane Thomas batted .160 last year and secured $5.5M guarantee – Castellanos has to be worth $10M or so to a team like that, esp if they’re getting prospects in the deal.
Good luck Mr. Dombrowski. I wouldn’t take him for free, because he will create clubhouse dissention by complaining that he isn’t getting enough playing time. And he is a DH only. No thank you. Next.
Ladies..I’ve been telling you for months I’m looking to get my ex gone, yet here He is, still sleeping on my couch….where are you all? Hes not as bad as I made him sound….there ain’t no good guy ain’t no bad guy…its just me and him and we just disagree…come on ladies..really…might have been even been a me thing…sometimes he even does stuff and I might be too demanding….your expectations might be lower and it will work out great!…He’s even nice now and then… Verbal abuse isnt really abuse right? C’mon girls give me an offer before I throw him and his couch out on the curb…why wait for some other desperate lonely heart to get him before hes beggin for quarters on the corner…you still got a chance before he’s a cheap bum! He has potential to be more than just my problem…he can be our problem.
Call Dave or leave message 1 888 NOT DSP8
Extra credit for Marshall Tucker ref.
Pittsburgh spent 13.5 mil on Ozuna. Surely they could have saved 10 mil by trading crap for Nick c. Nick c will have better year.
Casty wants to win and play every day…mutually exclusive
Before he ever set foot on the field for the Phillies, I had a bad feeling about Castellanos. During spring training he sat down for an interview with tv announcer Tom McCarthy, and Castellanos was demeaning and came off like a real jerk.
Castellanos has been good at times for Philly but mostly bad. Add to it that he’s an unlikable guy? The Phillies owe him nothing.
Send him to Colorado.
Who says no?
How about this trade? Carter Hawkins, a chocolate cake shake and 1 dipped Italian beef from Portillos and one dipped Italian sausage beef sandwich from Johnnies Beef for Nick Castellanos and 12 Philly Cheesesteaks from wherever the most famous Philly Cheesesteak restaurant is
Granted he’d be a bench player but he’s not a bad guy to have off the bench.
He can DH for someone,and the Rockies may want him off waivers but may have to trade for him and pick up $2M of his salary to DH.
My thought is if he is a 100 ops guy is being a full time DH an option?