The Philadelphia Phillies are set to make some major changes to the roster this winter. Whether it’s due to losing key players through free agency or calling up top prospects like Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter, some big changes are coming.
One of those moves that’s expected to come at some point is the departure of Nick Castellanos. Owed $20 million in 2026, the Phillies are trying to trade the veteran outfielder.
But those trade talks aren’t going well, according to ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan. Despite making calls around the Major Leagues, the Phillies aren’t getting any bites on Castellanos in trade talks.
Phillies getting little interest in Nick Castellanos via trade
“Philadelphia has tried to trade Nick Castellanos and his $20 million salary.” Passan writes. “So far, no bites.”
While this is a bleak report from Passan, it’s an expected one. Trading a player owed $20 million won’t be easy to justify, especially considering the season Castellanos is coming off.
One of the reasons why the Phillies are looking to trade Castellanos, beyond his on-field play, is his confrontation with Rob Thomson over being pulled late in a game for a defensive substitution.
That moment left a sour taste in the mouths of Phillies fans, and evidently, the Phillies organization. They’re looking to trade the outfielder, and will likely release him if a deal can’t be reached.
Add on that he struggled on the field in 2025, being one of the worst defenders in baseball and also hitting .250 with a .694 OPS and -0.8 bWAR, his $20 million pricetag is near impossible to trade.
Philadelphia will likely have to take on some of the money or attach a prospect to get out of his contract. Dave Dombrowski isn’t likely to add a prospect in shipping Castellanos out.
With this report from Passan, the chances of trading Castellanos look bleak. There’s still a chance the Phillies find a taker, but for now, Dombrowski and the Phillies might have to release their 33-year-old outfielder, rather than trading him.
