Depending on which Philadelphia Phillies fan was asked, the original news that Nick Castellanos was being made available for trade this offseason was either viewed as a positive or a negative.
However, there's no doubt that even those with the most negative view of the free-swinging slugger would admit he had a great season last year despite his frustrating stretch during the NLCS.
His slash line of .272/.311/.476 with 29 home runs and 106 RBI suggests that.
It's also pretty clear that he's one of the most popular players in the clubhouse and moving him might disrupt the close bond the Phillies have.
So, when Castellanos was seemingly put on the trade block, there was some mixed reactions.
Maybe that report was a little overzealous from Mark Feinsand as another reputable reporter, ESPN's Buster Olney, said what his own sources were telling him.
"Phillies source: they aren’t interested in moving Nick Castellanos. They consider him an important part of the team and value his production, and have no intention of trading him," he posted on social media.
Interesting.
Nobody would sit here and say that Feinsand got it wrong or made things up. It's very likely his sources told him that Dave Dombrowski would dangle the slugger in the trade market.
And Olney's sources probably saw that report and told them what they were hearing.
The bottom line is Castellanos is Philadelphia's best trade piece this offseason that they would potentially part ways with.
While it's been frustrating to see his free-swinging approach flounder in important playoff moments, there's no doubt that other teams would love to have a hitter of his quality on their team.
Dombrowski likely knows this and is seeing what type of market is out there.
However, as Olney's reporting suggests, the return to give up someone viewed as such an important piece of this franchise would have to be great.
Castellanos will most likely be sitting in right field with a Phillies jersey on when the 2024 season starts.
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