PEORIA, Ariz. — The San Diego Padres addressed two key needs on Saturday, reportedly agreeing to contracts with pitcher Griffin Canning and outfielder Nick Castellanos as they prepare for their first full-squad workout . The moves signal a clear intent to bolster both the rotation and the lineup ahead of the season.
Castellanos’ arrival is particularly notable, coming just days after his release from the Philadelphia Phillies amid reports of clubhouse conflicts with teammates and manager Rob Thompson. The Padres, however, appear unconcerned with past issues. Center fielder Jackson Merrill emphasized a fresh start, stating, “What he did in the other clubhouse has nothing to do with us. And I don’t think it’s going to carry over either. I think he is going to come in here and we’re all going to look at him as a new human being. I don’t really care…because that was the Phillies and we’re the San Diego Padres. I’m just happy to have him in a new clubhouse, see his vibe and see what he does to help us.”
Financially, the Padres will pay Castellanos the major league minimum of $780,000 in , with the Phillies covering the remaining $20 million of his contract. Terms of Canning’s deal were not immediately disclosed.
Manager Craig Stammen refrained from commenting specifically on the additions, pending completion of physicals, but acknowledged the team’s objectives. “I think that’s what A.J. Has been talking…about a lot about here over the last couple of weeks — trying to find that extra arm, that extra bat,” Stammen said. “We’ll see how it shakes out here today and tomorrow. But, you know, whenever you’re adding big-league talent, guys that have been in the league for a while, that have proven that they can have success at this level, it makes your team better.”
Castellanos, a right-handed hitter with 250 career home runs, is expected to add first base to his defensive repertoire, potentially complementing the left-handed hitting Gavin Sheets. He will also likely see time at designated hitter and in the corner outfield. Sheets expressed optimism about the addition, focusing on the team benefit. “It’s a guy who has had a lot of success in this league,” Sheets said. “When you look at it from a team aspect, it’s a guy that can definitely help us. I don’t look at how it affects me. I just look how it affects this team, how it can help his team, and anything that helps us win a championship a little bit better then I’m all for it.”
Canning, a 29-year-old right-hander, brings a wealth of experience to the Padres’ rotation. He started 16 games for the New York Mets last season and 94 for the Los Angeles Angels between and , posting a career 4.65 ERA. His season ended prematurely due to a ruptured Achilles tendon in June, but he reportedly showcased good velocity – topping out at 93 mph – during a recent showcase for scouts.
While Canning’s arrival strengthens the rotation, his immediate impact on the competition for a starting spot remains uncertain. His recovery from the Achilles injury may delay his readiness for the start of the season. The competition for the final rotation spot currently includes JP Sears, Matt Waldron, and non-roster invitees Marco Gonzales and Triston McKenzie, all of whom have significant major league starting experience.
The Padres’ rotation is currently anchored by Nick Pivetta, Michael King, and Joe Musgrove, with Randy Vásquez considered a strong contender for the fourth spot. The team also has Kyle Hart and several arms developing in their minor league system, providing depth.
The Padres recognize the importance of pitching depth, noting that an average MLB team utilizes eight to 15 starting pitchers throughout a season. Last year, the Padres used 10 pitchers to make at least five starts.
Castellanos’ career has spanned stints with the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds before his time with the Phillies. He hit .250/.494/.400 with 17 home runs in 147 games for Philadelphia in , despite dealing with a knee injury late in the season. He addressed reports of a dugout incident in Miami via Instagram, stating, “As a veteran of the game of baseball, You’ll see rules, and I broke one in Miami…I brought a Presidente (beer) into the dugout. I then sat right next to Rob and let him know that too much slack in some areas and too tight of restrictions in others are not conducive to us winning.” He concluded with, “I love this game, I love being a teammate and I am addicted to winning. I will learn from this.”
Joe Musgrove acknowledged Castellanos’ apology for any past issues and emphasized the importance of a player’s contribution to winning. “He has been in winning organizations,” Musgrove said. “I’m excited to see the elements he brings to the clubhouse…He’s a winning player.”
Despite a slight decline in his offensive production – from a 106 wRC+ between and to a 90 wRC+ in – Castellanos’ track record and postseason experience make him a valuable addition. Sheets believes Castellanos brings a “swagger” to an already confident Padres team.
