Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day:
1. Pitchers and catchers continue to report:
Most teams have had their first official workout of Spring Training at this point, but a few clubs have still yet to begin official activities. Almost all the remaining teams are scheduled to have their first workout today. In Arizona’s Cactus League, that list includes the Guardians, Rockies, Brewers, and Mariners. Meanwhile, Florida’s Grapefruit League will see the Twins, Yankees, Cardinals, and Rays all officially start spring activities. Notable new faces expected to be present for today’s workouts include Brandon Sproat and Kyle Harrison (Brewers), Dustin May (Cardinals), Michael Lorenzen (Rockies), and Ryan Weathers (Yankees).
2. Castellanos conclusion incoming:
The Phillies’ long, awkward divorce with veteran Nick Castellanos appears to be drawing to a close. According to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, a resolution for Castellanos, whether that’s a release or a trade, is expected to come together within the next two days. It’s unclear what sort of market Castellanos might have in trade, but it could be viable for a team interested in the soon to be 34-year-old for a part-time role or an interested club without much hope of making the postseason this year to sacrifice a little extra money to swing a trade for him rather than banking on being able to convince him to sign with them after he’s released.
3. Quintana’s deal to be made official:
Along with the aforementioned arrival of Lorenzen in Rockies camp today, Colorado is expected to welcome another veteran pitcher into the fold officially. Southpaw Jose Quintana recently signed with the Rockies on a one-year deal, and Thomas Harding of MLB.com writes that his deal with the team is expected to become official ahead of the club’s first official workout later today. A 40-man roster move will be necessary to officially add Quintana to the roster, and it will be interesting to see if the team sends right-hander Jeff Criswell to the 60-day injured list after he underwent Tommy John surgery last March, or if they expect him to be ready early enough in the season that they don’t want to force him to stay on the shelf that long. If they want to keep Criswell off the IL for now, they’ll need to designate a player for assignment or work out a trade to clear 40-man space.
Cubs should bring him back if they can get him on the cheap. Castellanos, Shaw. Ballesteros, and either Kelly or Amaya on the bench would give them a rock solid bench. Lifetime .272 hitter. He can still hit. Maybe an occasional outfield spot start.
Cubs already signed Tyler Austin for that RH bench bat role. Also have McCormick and Carlson as NRI guys competing for a bench role during Spring Training along with Alcantara. Plus there is the whole do you want a guy who pouts during the game on the bench because the manager is putting out the best lineup to win and he was correctly not part of it.
Austin, McCormick, Austin? Maybe. But Castellanos is way more accomplished.I know he’s a liability in the field but the guy can still hit. Pretty beloved in Philly. So he hurt the managers feelings. Tough. As long as he realizes he’s essentially a bench piece at this point in his career, and accepts it, I think he can be a benefit to any team that picks him up. I’ll take him in a heart beat.
And if you sign him on the cheap, and he’s a problem, just cut him. Low risk move.
He’s not beloved in Philly.
His .694 OPS and 88wRC+ in 2025( 12% below average MLB hitter) doesn’t say “the guy can still hit.”
They don’t want to roster a guy with no defensive versatility.
Tigers could use Castellanos. Could also see the White Sox get him.
Please leave the state of Pennsylvania. The Pirates don’t need another poor fielding OF.
The Tigers absolutely do NOT need Castellanos. J.Jones earned the RH OF/DH role last year. They also just signed Slater to a minor league deal.
I’m not engaged much with the Tigers depth but I felt like I kept hearing that the Tigers needed bats. Pitching depth obviously is unmatched but I kept hearing how the batting depth was lacking (and there was a reliance on high-end prospects coming in and filling that need.
Castellanos is still a pretty good bat that could be helpful but I can understand team’s hesitations.
Poor defense, terrible chase rate, declining bat speed for 3 straight years. I doubt anyone with playoff hopes will get him.
A non-contender will probably take a flyer on him, in hopes of flipping him at the Trade Deadline, if he can rebound. (Cards?)
Jeff Criswell
Somebody needs to open a fielding school. All this driveline crap is too much. How about catchball? I can think of a lot of baseball players who would need to attend on a mandatory basis. I’m actually serious.
Teaching pitchers to throw 100 MPH so they can have multiple TJ surgeries and all sorts of othere problems.
Teaching batters to mash pitches at maximum exit velocity and launch angles. so they can injure their hamates (??), and endless oblique strains and what not.
Are there overuse injuries for fielding? Probably.
Considering Toronto just lost Santander for the majority of the season they might be interested in acquiring Castellanos on a cheap deal with Philly picking up most of the cost.
ken – They’ve got Okamoto now for 3B, so Barger can play OF with Clement at 2B.
Barger, Springer, Varsho, Straw, Lukes, Schneider …. their outfield depth is deep.
Yeah, and they dont go for high K, low walk players with lousy defense.
Plus Loperfido is in the mix too.
They are not going to pay salary plus tax for Castellanos
Finally…. the report above states why a team might be willing to trade for Castellanos rather than just wait for the release. If released, Casty can pick his spot. If a team really wants him, they are going to have to trade for him. Phillies eat $15-$17MM and acquiring team sends back a marginal prospect. Non top 100 prospect…..
Key words: if a team really wants him. Please name a team that meets that description!
Toronto might want him now after Santander issue. Marlins, Cubs, Royals , Angels, …..And I’m sure there are other teams who need a RH bat , platoon OF / DH based on matchup in a game .for $1MM – $2MM . And if he has a good first half and is hitting, there is the trade deadline where someone may offer up a prospect on an expiring deal. No telling who gets hurt, who isn’t playing well during the year, etc… My point is there are teams that would take that chance. Anyone who is playoff worthy right now or at high salary on the books, won’t…they would wait and hope that Casty picks them
Disagree as teams wanting to save a few bucks have been adding a real prospect. If Philly wants to save $$, they will add a prospect. While it’s only one year, each $1m saved gets doubled with the taxes. Thus, it might be a $10m savings if they could find a taker if they paid down $5m and added a prospect. I see him being released but if dealt, it makes sense for DD to do what Boston did with the White Sox.
Thank you. Fans are always asking why someone should trade for him rather than sign him for the minimum. I don’t like the guy, but there teams out there that could use a $1M RH platoon DH/5th OF. If you need the guy and have to pay $1M instead of minimum, it would be short-sighted to not ante up another $250k.
Trade him to Cincy for Brandon Williamson. He once had promise and is coming off tj w major league experience. Reds pay Williamson salary/Phili pay’s castellanos
What u think Phili fans ?
Reds don’t need another right handed bat, otherwise they would’ve brought back Andujar who is a better player presently without having to give up a prospect. Not that I think Williamson is an overpay.. if they don’t bring back Geno or Andujar I could see them kicking the tires on a reunion with Castellanos and most of the fanbase liking the move
Phillies eat $18M+ if they are lucky!
Castellanos and Kerkering for Jasson Dominguez. If I say it enough times, surely I can manifest it lol.
Yankees are not doing that.
Yankees aren’t??? I think it would be the opposite. I think the Phillies like Kerkering more than the Yanks like Jasson at this point.
Nick fills the back up OF position better as a right handed hitter and Kerkering adds a closer of the future type in the bullpen that we desperately need. With Jasson’s diminished value, that would be a heck of a nice return. The only thing that would need to be figured out is who picks up the most contract money.
Have you done a deep dive into Castellanos’ numbers? Terrible Barrel Rate, Bat Speed, Chase Rate, Range, Arm.
baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/nick-castella…
You’d have to believe he found the fountain of youth. I dont see a trade for any playoff hopeful team.
I haven’t, but as a right-handed 4th outfielder, IF we can pry Kerkering, I’d still do that. His numbers for that role aren’t terrible. Jasson isn’t a great outfielder either. I also never underestimate what a change of scenery and role could do for a player. Maybe the clubhouse mix is more to his liking and he does have a bit of a revival. Worth taking that shot imo.
The Yankees aren’t adding Castellanos’ salary, which doul kes the cost given the rate they’re at.
I would love to see Castellanos, Dominguez, and Altuve play a game of 500 as part of the Pre All Star game extravaganza! It would probably be more entertaining than the HR derby.
Stymee, what is 500? I only know the card game. It would be entertaining if those bad outfielders were mixed in with the kids trying to catch the fly balls if that’s what you meant.
Not sure about this one. In 2025, Kerkering’s K-rate decreased and his BB- and HR- both ticked up to a 3.86 FIP. It’s $42M to add Castellanos with the luxury tax to boot. The Yankees also need JDom.
Well obviously not happening now, but Kerkering is just 24, and solid. We have no one right now as a future closer. This guys is just that for Philadelphia. I don’t believe the Yanks need Jasson as much as they need that type of reliever in the fold.
I’d also wouldn’t put it past Cash bringing in Nick now for the minimum. We already know they were looking for a right-hand hitting OF for the bench. This is cheaper than even freaking Austin Slater!
Bednar who can be re-signed? There’s no telling Kerkering can even be a closer. Even if DD paid his entire salary and included Kerkering, I wouldn’t trade JDom. Nick C. is not worth a roster spot for any contending team.
One could say the Phillies will release him just in the Nick of time.
If they release him he’ll have a Nice in his facade for sure.
I don’t get why people think Castellanos would help their team win? Nick hasn’t been good since 2021.
I took a look at his 2025 stats. His BA was league average with 17 homers. Thats not good, but not bad. What is the deal with him? Why have the Phils turned on him?
His batting average and home run total are the only two things he wasn’t awful in. He had a sub-.30o OBP, walked 5.4% of the time, had an 88 OPS+, and had some of his worst exit velocity, barrel rate, chase rate, and whiff rates of his career. Not to mention his OPS on the road was .634 this year. I’d expect him to at least have a slightly better than average home run total and batting average when playing half of his games at such a hitter friendly park.
Don’t forget he is a literal statue in the field. His only appeal if any would be as a DH.
Since becoming a Philly (excluding his great ‘21 season you reference) he’s 28th in the league in RBI in that time. The only Philly above him is Schwarber. You don’t have to like him, but it’s generally good to drive in runs…so to have more than the other team, since that’s how you win games.
RD
“it’s generally good to drive in runs”
Is your understanding of baseball that limited?
Take this situation
Leadoff batter – singles
Second batter – singles
Third batter – sac fly
The third hitter gets credit for the RBI. But they did the least work to score the run.
RBI don’t tell you who hit well
Yeah, but he he’s not driving them all in on his own. He has had Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber batting in front of him for most of his time with the Phillies. If anything, only 28th in RBI is unimpressive when you consider who hits in front of him.
With a lifetime ERA of 0.00, Nick’s good at preventing runs too!
He doesn’t save runs as a fielder, he’s near the bottom of the majors.
Everyone wants to know what Casty said to Rob. If multiple people were disgusted with what he said, it had to be some kind of personal dig at Rob that crossed a line.
I doubt they just flat out release him tho. Maybe they would come to an agreement along the lines of what the Angels did with Rendon, spread his money over a couple years. I could see that as a last resort before a flat out release.
Rendon is still on the Angels. The Phillies don’t want Nick on the roster, so that doesn’t work.
No one was “disgusted”, Matt Gelb is a tool who is trying to create stories. If they knew how people felt then you’d know what was said. Magically it never came out because it wasn’t what was said. They had a disagreement, people may have been “disappointed” how it was said or how he handled it though.
Angels are a perfect landing spot for Castellanos because they don’t read the sordid history books that they wrote themselves
philly – I heard Casty told Rob that Canadian NHL teams suck and Florida NHL teams have won 5 cups to Canada’s zero over the past 32 years.
Never insult a Canadian about hockey.
I recommend a youtube/Google search for Stavros Halkias roasting Canada while visiting a Vancouver (I think?) comedy club. Good stuff, some funny hockey jokes!
How did the Canadian women’s team perform the other day? 🙂
Regarding Castellanos, besides the $20MM owed by Philadelphia this year to him, I really don’t understand why this player is of little or no interest at all by the other MLB teams, as his hitting numbers are quite decent. Guess because he’s a defensive liability in the outfield, but many other players less offensively-gifted have the same problem and at least draw some interest… What’s happening here ?
Nick has no room for improvement defensively.
He’s the worst outfielder in MLB so he can only be used as a platoon RH DH. His offensive numbers were below average last year and he’s actually worse against lefties than righties. If there’s a team that has a bench spot for a guy who really only does one thing and does it at below the league average then maybe, but any serious contender would have so many better options.
If clubs don’t want him in the field, weak side platoon players for DH don’t get much demand…..especially if they know NC doesn’t want to remain in Philly due to a limited role. Teams may want to use him in similar way as Philly that has him ticked off now.
He had negative WAR last year and an OPS+ of 88. Is that his tru talent level at this point in his career? Do you want to risk it on anything other than prorated MLB minimum salary? Do you want to give up the 40 man spot and roster him?
He is a liability on defense and he had a pretty bad 2025 season at the plate. Given his recent offensive production, the bat isn’t worth a primary DH role. The glove has been far to bad to play regularly in the field.
He could be seen as a potential bench bat to primarily face LHP. He was pretty vocal on his displeasure of his part time role last season (or at least the ha doing of it) and his production against LHP took a huge hit last year.
It will be interesting to see if there are any takers on him.
Jeff Brigham doesn’t play for the Rockies, you must mean Jeff Criswell
Great username haha
Nick C does make a lot of sense in Cleveland for all they will have to pay him.
I have thought about this too. I think the roster spot/fit is the issue, not the money.
To fit him on the roster, they would need to DFA either Jones or Valera. To give him playing time, they would need to either suffer through his dreadful defense in RF or ultimately take ABs away from Manzardo/Kayfus in a DH/PH role.
Assuming David Fry, Manzardo, Jones and Valera are all reporting to camp healthy and ready to go, I think the Guards pass.
Nick Castellanos to Texas For $1 million and Philly pays the rest he can play vs lefty at DH.
Some team is going to actually think that way and pay $1MM – $2MM for that kind of thinking. That’s why you don’t flat out release him..
Phillies fan here and as much as I agree that Castellanos should be dealt, it’s borderline inhumane how much time it’s taken. I don’t care what he did or said last season, release him already.
It’s the flipside of having a contract. He’s guaranteed the money and nobody forced the Phillies to sign him to that contract, but the Phillies have every right to seek any scenario that mitigates the cost to them because nobody forced Nick to sign the contract either.
I think a team with the right offer on Castellanos could potentially land a nice haul of prospects.
Slot values on 1st round picks in the MLB draft are 4M+ — if a team was willing to take all of Castellanos’ salary, they could possibly lever a few good prospects in that trade.
Would the Phillies unload Aidan Miller and Gage Wood for salary relief on Castellanos and is it worth 20M to add a top20 MLB prospect and the Phillies 1st round pick from ’25, Id say it is.
Castellanos a good ball player too. There is a strong possibility that if he gets everyday at-bats that he will play up to his contract this season. Taking on Castellanos full 20M and adding a pair of top prospects could be the ultimate coup. The potential to add an additional prospect or two in a midsummer trade of Castellanos is there too.
Philly needs to add two starting pitchers. They are in the third tier of the tax. Its an excruciating position and that kind of leverage can yield significant gains.
A team should be dangling a front of the rotation starter and 20M in salary relief to Dombrowski for a big haul of prospects.
If Philly passes and stands pat on the prospects, they are folding preflop after having put in three-quarters of their stack.
To spend like they have spent and to be unwillimg to part with prospects to win this year is a bad play. At this point, Philly should open to a big trade that nets them a starter and salary relief.
“Castellanos a good ball player too. There is a strong possibility that if he gets everyday at-bats that he will play up to his contract this season”
No, ABS, there’s not a strong chance
Value of Castellanos’ production
2025 -$5 million
2024 $2 million
2023 $10 million
2022 -$2 million
2021 $30 million
New situation, new opportunity, couldnt be any worse than Conforto was with the Dodgers.
Castellanos is a good hitter. I recall him getting red hot in the playoffs for Philly.
This is a guy who hit 29 HRs in ’23, a career OPS of .785. 1yr./20M isnt that bad a risk when it is hedged by a top20 prospect and a ’25 1st round draft pick.
NO ABS
“New situation, new opportunity,”
This is what you said
“There is a strong possibility that if he gets everyday at-bats that he will play up to his contract this season”
He’s been bad for 4 straight years. Is it possible, sure. Is it a strong possibility? Going to need a lot more than “new situation” to believe that.
“couldnt be any worse than Conforto was with the Dodgers.”
1) of course he could. They were roughly equally bad last year
2) why are you bringing up Conforto? You’re not so emotionally stunted to think that bringing up Comforto, especially after the Dodgers won the World Series, would be an insult to me since I’m a Dodger fan, are you? You couldn’t possibly be that pathetic.
So, please tell me what Conforto has to do with this, so I don’t think so poorly of you.
“Castellanos is a good hitter”
:Points at Pete:
Wait, wrong scene
Extreme Brad Pitt as Billy Beane voice: if he’s such a good hitter, why doesn’t he hit good?
He used to be a good hitter. He doesn’t seem to be anymore
In ’23, Castellanos hit .273/.311/.476 – thats an OPS of .787 and thats damn good if you ask me.
The bad press, the issues with the team, that has an effect on a guy. To say he is in a decline is fair but factor in the qualitative nature of his adversities. He is only in his age 34 season and doesn’t have a long history of injuries.
I brought up Conforto because he was paid 1yr/18M for a similar sort of potential after having some setbacks in his career. His were due to injury. It’s a comp that says that paying Castellanos 1yr/20M isn’t all that bad of a straight wager. If it’s hedged by a pair of top prospects its a free roll.
I’m not keeping tabs on you mate, I could a give a hoot less if you’re a fan of the Dodgers. Pack your paranoia in your lunch box and keep it out of my kitchen.
I didn’t watch the Moneyball movie. I did read the book. It wasn’t as good as Liars Poker.
NO ABS
“In ’23, Castellanos hit .273/.311/.476 – thats an OPS of .787 and thats damn good if you ask me.”
108 wRC+
He had 1.3 fWAR that year.
His best year out of the last 3 he might have been a starter.
I expect some bounce back. The chances of him producing $20 million in value, something he hasn’t done since 2021, seem slim. Not “strong”.
Found DD’s account! Nice try pal. Nobody… NOBODY… is paying $20MM for NC, prospects be damned!
…..or sending a “front of the rotation starter” to the Phils in any deal for Castellanos. Yikes.
If I were the Twins, Id strongly consider a trade for Castellanos and prospects and I send out Joe Ryan in the deal.
Id take on the full 20M.
Id be looking for five or six prospects in that trade. Painter, Miller and Wood would be included. Could find two or three low level prospects to make it square.
It would be a haul for the Twins.
Philly would have Wheeler, Sanchez and Ryan at the top and would have some salary relief to sign another veteran starter. German Marquez or Tony Gonsolin could be signed and the Phillies will have added two good starters without increasing the payroll.
As far as the Twins go, Castellanos starts everyday for a potential deadline trade. Huge haul in Miller, Painter and Wood.
When I first read this, I thought you were suggesting the PHILLIES would be acquiring prospects in exchange for Castellanos.
That’s a good thought. In that spirit, I could see the Guardians being a good fit. I think they had a little cash they were looking good to spend this offseason but didn’t find a match. They probably wouldn’t mind getting a look at Castellanos in Spring Training and just see how camp goes.. but, assuming everything goes to plan, would end up cutting him.
The trade isnt as good for the Guards, they have Bazzana and Genoa on the farm.
Twins need pitching and MI depth, Miller, Painter and Wood fit nicely on their roster.
Orrrrrr the Phils will just DFA him when nobody expresses any interest.
Why would the Phillies mortgage their future to get rid of one year of a bad player? At best the Phillies will eat $17–$18 million of his contract to get a Single A lottery pick. The Phillies only hope the next few years are for most of their top prospects to end up being top flight successes.
Because they are over the tax and need a pair of starting pitchers to shore up their pitching staff. They could really use three starters if you ask me. Luzardo and Nola have injury history. Wheeler coming back from an injury. Painter is no sure thing. They be lovin’ Taijuan Walker these days.
More than anything, they need a front-of-the-rotation starter to feel good about heading into the season. Paying 40M for a year of Zac Gallen is about as gut-wrenching as it gets.
Trading the prospects isn’t such a bad plate if it saves 40M and returns a top flight rotation piece and a upside veteran starting pitcher.
You’re dreaming if you think Miller or Gage would ever be dealt like that. The money and tax is already baked in. No way they deal those guys to save dollars this year. In fact, both those guys may contribute to the team this year. And if so, will be on the books in 2027, provided there is a season, for peanuts which will help reset the overall payroll.
And the Owners claim poverty but wanna keep the books closed… What does that tell ya?
Not all of them G. The Braves books are wide open. Publicly traded.
Yeah, Toronto’s too… kinda. They’re all making money hands over fists is my point. And for the ones making less profit year-over-year then they’re either paying down debts and services (construction, etc.) or minimized by market and strategy.
CPA’s are the MVP’s of professional sports franchises, lol.
The Law Offices of Begg, Barrow and Steele would disagree… lol! Cheers Jefe 🍻
If a trade is possible and if the Phillies are eating the vast majority of the money owed i could see Arizona having interest. They just lost Corbin Carroll for a while and won’t have Lourdes Gurriel til at least August
Definitely wouldn’t mind Castellanos on the Blue Jays as a bench bat to hit against LH. His numbers against Lefties were definitely still solid and if he’s only hitting against Lefties I doubt he could be as bad as Santander was last year.