The Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for what should be a busy offseason. After their tough NLDS exit at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dave Dombrowski and the front office are widely expected to shake things up.
With key players like Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto hitting free agency — and potentially landing elsewhere if new deals aren’t reached — several rostered players could also find themselves in new uniforms next season. The most likely candidate is Nick Castellanos.
Reports indicate that the Phillies plan to either trade or release Castellanos, which would end the veteran outfielder’s four-year run in Philadelphia. Adding fuel to the speculation, Jon Heyman of The New York Post reports that Castellanos has hired a new agency amid the growing trade chatter.
Nick Castellanos was previously represented by well-known agent Scott Boras, but the two parted ways prior to the 2025 MLB season. As Tim Kelly of On Pattison reported, Castellanos explained his reasoning for stepping away from Boras.
“I think that just now I probably would want the opportunity,” Castellanos said. “To say like I’m not ever going to be represented again — it’s not like I’m against having an agent. I just think that where it was with Scott, it was at a point where I just wanted an opportunity to speak for myself.”
At the time, Castellanos expressed a desire to handle negotiations on his own while leaving open the possibility of hiring another agent in the future. Following a challenging 2025 campaign — one that saw his playing time reduced after a dispute with manager Rob Thomson over a defensive substitution — Castellanos has now signed with a new agency.
According to reports, Castellanos has joined Mato Sports Management, which also represents Eduardo Rodriguez of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez.
The move comes as Castellanos faces an uncertain future in Philadelphia, with the team expected to either trade or release him this offseason. Without a no-trade clause, the Phillies have full freedom to move him as they see fit.
Looking ahead, the 33-year-old outfielder will be aiming for another contract once he lands with a new team or hits free agency. With the 2026 season potentially being one of his last chances to secure a deal, a strong year could significantly impact his career earnings before retirement.
While that next contract likely won’t come from Philadelphia, Castellanos’ decision to align with Mato Sports Management gives him solid representation as he prepares for what could be his final major contract negotiation.