Nick Castellanos of the Philadelphia Phillies has had a tumultuous season. From an argument with Rob Thomson over being taken out as a defensive replacement to now being in a platoon with Max Kepler, it’s been far from ideal for the $20 million outfielder.
He’s signed through the 2026 season for $20 million, and the Phillies, with the looming contracts and free agencies of JT Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, Harrison Bader, and Ranger Suarez, could look to move on from Castellanos to free up some money.
Jim Riley of BALLCAP Sports predicts that not only will Castellanos be dealt in the offseason, but that he’d be traded to another big-market team: the New York Yankees.
Nick Castellanos is predicted to be traded to the Yankees
“The Philadelphia Phillies have a desire to trade Nick Castellanos and even eat some of that contract,” Riley said. “Now that that’s out there, there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s on the move. He could play left field for the Yankees if Cody Bellinger leaves.”
While the Yankees would prefer not to lose Bellinger, who’s having a strong season, replacing him with Castellanos wouldn’t be the worst move. It’d be even more feasible if the Phillies, as Riley mentions, decide to eat some of his contract to facilitate the deal.
Riley’s prediction of a Castellanos to Yankees trade would make a lot of sense if Bellinger leaves. While it’s a downgrade, it’s a one-year rental for the Yankees, and they might get a strong contract year from Castellanos.
His last contract season came in 2021, and he was an All-Star for the Cincinnati Reds, as he had 164 hits, 38 doubles, 34 home runs, and 100 RBIS with a .309 batting average and a .939 OPS.
Defensively, he’s a big liability. But the Yankees have trotted out Giancarlo Stanton in the outfield this season, so they are no strangers to accepting a subpar defender.
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Moving on from Castellanos wouldn’t be an issue for the Phillies, as the team is rumored to be looking to move on from him in some capacity this winter. While he’s had some incredible moments in Philadelphia, the Phillies want to save some money, and Castellanos is the odd man out.
In 2025, Castellanos has played in 137 games and has a .253 batting average with a .702 OPS. It’s a better offensive season than he had in 2022 with the Phillies, but combined with defense that grades out as one of the worst in baseball, his -0.8 WAR is hardly surprising.
The Phillies will be looking to reshuffle the roster this winter, and Castellanos is likely to be one of the departures that the Phillies choose to make, instead of natural free agents leaving the team.
A strong return for the Phillies doesn’t matter as much as freeing up the money from Castellanos’ deal, as well as opening a roster spot for Justin Crawford or another outfielder to take his place. This prediction from Riley is one the Phillies should try to make reality, as a Castellanos trade would be helpful in many ways for the Phillies.
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