Castellanos Watch

[zambonir]

We've seen Marcel Ozuna sign with the Pirates for $10.5 million, Austin Hays sign with the White Sox for $6 million and Paul Goldschmidt return to the Yankees for $4 million, but with the likes of Rhys Hoskins, Mark Canha, Tommy Pham, Randall Grichuck and even Andrew McCutchen, are there really any teams left who would give up anything at all for Nick, or even chip in $2 million knowing they can get a + WAR player at the same price, or Nick himself for less than half that soon enough?

With pitchers and catchers reporting in two days what do we think is gonna happen here?

• Traded Before February 16
• Released Before February 16
• Reports to Spring Training
• Doesn't report pending a trade/release
• Actually makes the Phillies roster

Show results

[allentown]

I voted that he'll be released before ST. Equally possible that there is an eyewash trade whete we trade him, with all but about $1 million of his salary for somebodies #30+ prospect, a sidtuation I don't really count as a trade. No way he is allowed to come to ST.

[andyb]

DD is quoted today saying they are trying to get something done this week. So guessing it will be a release since they have telegraphed his lack of value. They should have moved more quickly I suspect.

[zambonir]

I would still count that as a trade, major league minimum is $780,000 and there's no reason for a team to give the Phillies even a filler prospect and a bit of money on top of that. If they got any kind of body for him that was worth keeping on the organizational roster more than anyone else that wouldn't be eyewash.

But I also voted the same way you did. The only true path to a trade where it saves them a few million would be for the Phillies to be the one sending talent. Selling a prospect, basically, while still getting nothing for Nick himself.

I just wonder what they are really still trying to do at this point. Or rather, if they actually are trying, or if they're happy to let him get antsy in Miami not knowing where he's heading next. That would be petty of Dombrowski considering his own misjudgment of Nick's talent and value is what created the situation, and Thomson doesn't seem to really hold a grudge.

[BaseballCat]

They have to move on this week. They have hoped long enough. While his WAR has been low, he has given us many good moments, given all he has left and is loved by many Phils fan. Do him a solid and just let him go. The longer you hold him the worse it looks.

[zambonir]

I mean they should have moved more quickly for Nick's sake and to close the book. They must have at least had a few GMs who said they might be interested if they couldn't get anyone else, but there's still a lot of anyone elses out there.

Burning Wilson to keep him was the curious thing but they probably just didn't see Wilson sticking around. Probably didn't even need him taking away early ST time from the likes of Miller and Moore, as well as Kemp and other OFs who might actually play in the bigs this year.

I suppose it's also possible they are trying to get him where he wants to go, which would presumably be the Marlins or a contender. Even with nothing in return.

[zambonir]

hadn't seen it when I did this post!

Phillies ‘doing everything we can’ to part with Nick Castellanos before first...

“We continue to talk to clubs about [a trade],” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Monday.

And if the Phillies don’t find a taker for the disgruntled right fielder before the first full-squad workout Monday?

“We’re doing everything we can to make a move by that time period,” Dombrowski said. “I’ll leave it at that right now.“

No matter what, though, don’t expect him to walk through the doors of the spring-training complex.

A major league source said Monday the Phillies were still talking with “two or three teams” about Castellanos. The San Diego Padres might have a need after ranking 27th in the majors with a .630 OPS from the DH spot last season. The Colorado Rockies need a lot, including a DH (.613 OPS last season).

[zambonir]

ICYMI, Castellanos no longer has a locker in Clearwater and was told not to report. Probably done by tomorrow, Monday at latest.

I forgot he didn't sign with us until March 20th originally. But I don't know that he has that luxury this time, he needs to get into a spring training and actually win a job.

[zambonir]

I guess both of the top two choices were right though he didn't have to report this early even if they'd asked him to.

The Phillies are releasing Nick Castellanos.

— Matt Gelb ( @mattgelb.bsky.social ) February 12, 2026 at 2:20 PM

[andyb]

[MichaelJackSchmidt]

https://bsky.app/profile/scottlauber.bsky.social/post/3meoqlmuwt22q