The Philadelphia Phillies have been strong contenders in recent seasons but have fallen short of winning a World Series. With several key free agents hitting the market, the team might look to make bold moves this offseason, including clearing salary space by trading some of their high-priced contracts.
One player likely to be on the trade block is veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos. Moving him could give the Phillies more financial flexibility, especially as they aim to re-sign stars like Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto. Eric Treuden of Just Baseball recently suggested a potential trade sending Castellanos to the struggling Colorado Rockies.
“The Rockies aren’t expected to compete for a championship in 2026, but they still need a roster of actual players,” Treuden explained. “If they can work out a deal with the Phillies that includes a prospect alongside Castellanos in exchange for covering his entire 2026 salary, it starts to make sense.”
Treuden also noted that Colorado has historically been willing to offer incentives to take on overpaid contracts, citing their handling of Nolan Arenado’s situation. This time, however, the advantage could shift toward the Rockies, allowing them to gain prospects while absorbing Castellanos’ salary.
For the Phillies, moving Castellanos is about freeing up money to retain Schwarber and Realmuto. Meanwhile, the Rockies could benefit by acquiring future talent, even if they aren’t positioned to win immediately.