San Diego has become the new home for veteran Major League Baseball outfielder Nick Castellanos, just days after his release from the Philadelphia Phillies. The Padres have agreed to a deal with the 33-year-old slugger, with Philadelphia continuing to cover the vast majority of his salary.
The Phillies designated Castellanos for release on Thursday, marking the end of his tenure with the team. The Padres will pay Castellanos the league minimum of approximately $780,000, while the Phillies remain responsible for roughly $19.22 million of his $20 million contract for the season, according to reports.
A Fit in San Diego
Padres General Manager A.J. Preller had indicated the team was seeking to add another bat to bolster their offense, and Castellanos appears to fill that need. The acquisition comes alongside a separate deal for right-hander Griffin Canning, further solidifying the Padres’ roster as they prepare for the upcoming season.
While primarily a right fielder for much of his career, Castellanos’ role with the Padres is expected to be more versatile. He is anticipated to see significant playing time as a designated hitter, with the outfield corners already secured by Fernando Tatis Jr. In right and Ramón Laureano in left. However, the Padres also envision utilizing Castellanos at first base, a position he began working at during his time with the Phillies, though he has yet to appear in a major league game at that position.
Gavin Sheets is currently projected to be the Padres’ starting first baseman, but Castellanos could see action against left-handed pitching, potentially sharing time with newcomer Miguel Andujar as the designated hitter. The Padres’ flexibility will also allow Castellanos to fill in at corner outfield positions when regular starters require a day off from fielding duties.
Despite the potential for a significant offensive contribution, Castellanos is coming off a challenging season with the Phillies, where he batted .250 with a .694 OPS. His arrival represents an upgrade over the options the Padres had considered for the final spots on their Opening Day roster.
A Contentious Exit from Philadelphia
Castellanos’ departure from Philadelphia was preceded by a period of tension with manager Rob Thomson. He was benched after an incident in Miami where he brought beer into the dugout following being removed from a game and voiced concerns about team rules. Castellanos publicly acknowledged communication issues with Thomson, describing it as “questionable, at least in my experience” in September.
In a handwritten note posted on social media, Castellanos detailed the events leading to his benching, stating he expressed his frustration with what he perceived as inconsistent rules and restrictions to Thomson. He claimed teammates removed the beer before he consumed any of it. The incident reportedly led to a meeting with Thomson and Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski.
Financial Implications for Both Teams
The financial arrangement of the deal is particularly noteworthy. The Phillies’ willingness to absorb the vast majority of Castellanos’ salary underscores their desire to move on from the outfielder, even at a significant cost. The Padres, by only committing to the veteran minimum, minimize their financial risk while adding a player with proven offensive capabilities.
The Padres’ acquisition of Castellanos represents a calculated gamble, hoping to unlock his offensive potential in a new environment. For the Phillies, it marks the end of a chapter and a substantial financial outlay to facilitate a fresh start. The move allows the Padres to address an offensive need without significantly impacting their payroll flexibility, while the Phillies aim to rebuild and move forward with a different roster composition.
The Padres single-game tickets for the season are currently on sale.
