Jul 2, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos (8) reacts after striking out in the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Park. (Credit: Grace Del Pizzo-On Pattison)
Phillies pitchers and catchers report for their first workout in Clearwater, Fla. on Feb. 11, officially marking the beginning of a new season for the franchise.
However, as of Feb. 4, Nick Castellanos remains on Philadelphia's 40-man roster, despite repeated confirmation that the outfielder is not in the club's 2026 plans.
It's been clear to everyone involved that the relationship between Castellanos and the Phillies is frayed beyond repair. Even before the abrupt end of the 2025 season, cracks began to show; Castellanos publicly aired his grievances with manager Rob Thomson's communication in September, and the 33-year-old was clearly unhappy with the way his role decreased as the season progressed.
Nick Castellanos was asked if he understands why he hasn’t played as often.
“I don’t really talk to Rob all that often … Communication over the years has been questionable, at least in my experience.”
(via @GraceDelPizzo) pic.twitter.com/ucqEiWadSL
A divorce between the two sides appeared (and still appears) a foregone conclusion. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski confirmed on Jan. 20 that the team is still "planning on" finding Castellanos a change of scenery before Spring Training begins.
Well, pitchers and catchers report in seven days. The Phillies' first full-squad workout is in 12 days. The team's first Grapefruit League game is less than three weeks away. And yet, Castellanos remains.
The way the offseason played out has been truly puzzling. The Phillies have had multiple chances to unload Castellanos; some even speculated that Castellanos would be DFA'd to make room for J.T. Realmuto following the catcher's new deal in January. Instead, utility player Weston Wilson was the sacrificial lamb to make that happen.
If the plan has always been for Castellanos to play elsewhere in 2026, why did the Phillies send Wilson packing instead of making the cut that the organization has telegraphed for months? Wouldn't it have made more sense to just pull the trigger on Castellanos, instead of losing a versatile player?
Granted, releasing Castellanos comes with its own challenges, namely a $20 million sunk cost. The outfielder is set to enter the final season of his five-year, $100 million contract with the Phillies. Perhaps Philadelphia has held onto him so long in the hopes that another team will inquire about a trade, but that doesn't seem likely, either.
Any potential trade suitors would no doubt expect the Phillies to pay the majority of Castellanos' $20 million salary, especially since the outfielder has been on a clear decline. His minus-0.6 WAR in 2025 was the worst mark among all qualified position players in MLB, per FanGraphs. That doesn't exactly make Castellanos, who will turn 34 before Opening Day, a coveted trade target.
To his credit, Castellanos has attempted to raise his trade value this offseason. In December, Castellanos revealed to MLB Network that he is considering the possibility of playing first base in 2026. That should make him more attractive to teams in need of a first baseman, rather than solely selling himself as a subpar defender in right field. Even so, the salary roadblock remains.
If no trade materializes, the Phillies' backs are also against the wall in that they absolutely cannot bring Castellanos back. After Dombrowski went on record saying the team plans to move on, and after Adolis García was signed specifically to play right field, a Castellanos return would be far too awkward for all parties involved. It would effectively nuke the team's clubhouse chemistry before it could even get off the ground in Clearwater.
Even though the writing has been on the wall for months, He Who Remains is still on the roster. Unless that changes in the next 12 days, Castellanos will be expected to report to Clearwater on Feb. 16. That outcome that has always seemed impossible, and still seems highly improbable... but as the date creeps closer, the Phillies' plan for Castellanos grows less and less clear.
At this point, it's a waiting game for Dombrowski to pull the trigger, bite the bullet and cut his $20 million losses. He has no other feasible option.
