The Philadelphia Phillies have been open about their desire to trade Nick Castellanos, with president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski publicly confirming the club’s intentions. Reports have indicated for months that the Phillies have explored moving the veteran outfielder, dating back to comments from Dombrowski suggesting that “change of sceneries can be beneficial.” Despite ongoing discussions, Castellanos has remained on the roster, though Dombrowski reiterated Monday that the team is actively trying to complete a deal, ideally by the end of the week.
“We continue to talk to clubs about [a trade],” Dombrowski said. “We’re doing everything we can to make a move by that time period. I’ll leave it at that right now.”
Castellanos is owed $20 million this season, a sizable salary for a player whose performance has trended downward. While the financial commitment is significant, it is not the primary obstacle for Philadelphia, as the team is prepared to absorb some or all of the contract to facilitate a trade. A larger factor has been Castellanos’ strained relationship with manager Rob Thomson, stemming from an incident last season that created a noticeable rift between player and coach.
That situation, along with other considerations, pushed the Phillies toward moving on, highlighted by their decision to sign free-agent outfielder Adolis García to a one-year, $10 million deal. From a roster standpoint, Castellanos no longer fits cleanly into the everyday lineup, further reinforcing the organization’s desire to part ways.
Several teams have been mentioned as potential landing spots, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, who could look to add veteran experience to their offense. Other clubs reportedly linked to Castellanos include the San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Guardians, and Miami Marlins. Given his defensive limitations at this stage of his career, Castellanos would likely be limited to designated hitter or first base duties.
Because Philadelphia is willing to cover much of his salary, a trade could be completed without a significant return or payroll increase for the acquiring team. Interest is expected to be strong, but the Phillies are reportedly holding out for a deal in which a team either assumes more of the contract or provides a meaningful asset in return.