End of the Road for Castellanos with the Phillies?

Nick Castellanos' time with the Philadelphia Phillies appears to be nearing its conclusion as reports indicate that he will either be traded or released this offseason. According to The Athletic's Matt Gelb, the Phillies are facing significant roster decisions following back-to-back losses in the NLDS.

The Phillies are gearing up for an offseason filled with critical choices, particularly regarding key players such as Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suárez, and J.T. Realmuto, who are set to hit free agency. At a recent end-of-season press conference, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski emphasized the importance of retaining these players while recognizing the financial complexities involved. Dombrowski stated, "We won 96 games. You're always looking to get better, so we will be open-minded to that... some built-in situations for us that are going to have to be addressed."

Among the trio of potential free agents, Schwarber seems most likely to return, as owner John Middleton has committed to making every effort to keep the superstar DH, who hit an impressive 56 home runs this past season. In contrast, Castellanos, who is entering the last year of a five-year, $100 million contract signed in March 2022, has struggled to find his place within the lineup.

Castellanos has faced challenges as a bat-only player, often having to move to the outfield due to Schwarber's presence at DH. His declining offensive performance, alongside a hefty $20 million salary in 2026, complicates any potential trade. To facilitate a trade, the Phillies may need to absorb a significant portion of his remaining contract. Over the past four seasons, Castellanos has been a negative-WAR player twice and had an underwhelming 2025 season with a .250/.294/.400 batting line in 147 games.

While the Phillies have clinched the NL East title in each of the past two seasons, their playoff success has been elusive, with no playoff series victories since defeating the Atlanta Braves in the 2023 NLDS. As the team looks to improve and bolster their roster, Castellanos may soon be just a chapter in their recent history.