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Report: Phillies Planning to Move On from Veteran Outfielder

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Ben Rosen | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 6:16 PM ET

According to a report from Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Philadelphia Phillies are planning to move on from outfielder Nick Castellanos this offseason. Gelb writes that the veteran will be released if the Phillies are unable to find a trade partner. Castellanos is entering the final year of a five-year $100 million dollar contract. At the trade deadline, there were reports that the Phillies were open to moving Castellanos. He has been viewed as a trade candidate in the offseason each of the last two years. Gelb mentioned that the Phillies would prefer to redo their outfield this offseason. Justin Crawford will likely figure into the new-look Phillies outfield in 2026, according to Gelb. Crawford is the Phillies’ top outfield prospect.

Report: Phillies Likely To Move On from Nick Castellanos This Offseason

The Phillies are going to need to take on a significant portion of the contract if they want to trade Castellanos. Additionally, they have to find a team willing to add him. That portion would be whatever salary the Phillies will not be responsible for in the first place. Releasing Castellanos is the more likely outcome here as a result. This would allow for another team to sign him to a more team-friendly contract. Currently, he is owed $20 million for the 2026 season. If the Phillies choose to release Castellanos, they would be responsible for all of it. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the team to find a trade partner who will take on some of the remaining money on the contract.

Nick Castellanos is expected to be traded or released by the Phillies this offseason, per @MattGelb pic.twitter.com/J5bYePcUN2

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 17, 2025

Reduced Playing Time This Season

Castellanos lost playing time over the course of the 2025 season. This was because of poor play and the arrival of Harrison Bader, who quickly became the Phillies’ everyday center fielder. Castellanos ultimately recorded a .250/.294/.400 line with 17 home runs and 72 RBI in 147 games this season. He also had a 90 wRC+ along with a .298 BABIP this year. Castellanos also recorded a 22.6% strikeout rate and a 5.4% walk rate. Both of those rates were worse in 2025 than they were in 2024. In August, shortly after Bader arrived, Castellanos had his worst statistical month of the season. That month, he had a .180/.240/.270 line with two home runs and three RBI in 24 games, along with a a 41 wRC+.

Overall Tenure in Philadelphia

Castellanos has not lived up to the expectations of being the Phillies’ reliable Bryce Harper protection. In four seasons in Philadelphia, Castellanos has not recorded a 110 wRC+ or better. Additionally, he’s only had one season in Philadelphia with a 1.0 fWAR or better (1.3 fWAR in 2023). Castellanos has not had a season with a strikeout rate below 20.0% or a walk rate above 10.0% with the Phillies. A .788 OPS in 2023 is the lone Phillies season Castellanos has with a .750 OPS or better. Defensively, Castellanos has -41 DRS/-35 OAA/-45 FRV as a member of the Phillies, which all rank as the worst among qualified outfielders in that stretch. A change here is necessary.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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