MLB Rumors: AL East Team Considered Trade For Nick Castellanos Before Phillies Release

Castellanos was entering the final season of the five-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Phillies ahead of the 2022 campaign. He had numerous clashes with the coaching staff over his time in Philadelphia and could never really endear himself to the fanbase. Moreover, he only produced 1.3 bWAR in his four seasons with the Phillies and an OPS+ of just 100.

Teams Linked With Nick Castellanos After Release From Phillies

Following his release from the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, Nick Castellanos is already gaining interest on the free agent market, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post. He named Castellanos’ former team, the Cincinnati Reds, among the potential suitors, along with the San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals, and the Athletics.

“There’s a lot of interest in Nick Castellanos now that he’s about to be free. Teams apparently were waiting for the expected release,” he posted on X. “Potential fits may include Padres, Jays, A’s, Rangers, Reds. Uncertain where interest lies.”

As a veteran right-handed bat, Castellanos can offer a good bargain for several teams, as his market value should have dropped considerably after his spell with the Phillies. The two-time All-Star is coming off his worst MLB campaign after notching -0.8 bWAR in 2025 despite playing 147 games. He hit .250/.294/.400 with 17 home runs and an 88 OPS+ while racking up more than four times as many strikeouts as walks.