MLB Trade Rumors: Phillies Prepared To Eat Salary To Trade Outfielder

It's been a rollercoaster ride of a run for Philadelphia Phillies beleaguered outfielder Nick Castellanos over the last four seasons in the City of Brotherly Love. With one year remaining on his five-year, $100 million contract, the Phillies are prepared to eat a chunk of that outstanding $20 million in order to trade him this offseason, per a report.

Insider Bob Nightengale states in USA Today:

The Phillies, who shopped outfielder Nick Castellanos last winter, will be much more aggressive trying to move him this winter, even eating a significant portion of his remaining $20 million salary.

The 33-year-old has been up and down for the Phillies in his four years with the team.

He was coming off a 34-homer, 100-RBI season with a .939 OPS with the Cincinnati Reds when the Phils signed him to that huge free agent deal in 2022.

His numbers cratered, however, in his first year with the team, to just 13 homers and 62 RBIs with a .694 OPS. He followed that up, though, with a more Castellanos-like 29 dingers and 106 ribbies in his second year with the Phillies.

In 2024, his numbers were reasonable, but dipped again, to 23 HR, 86 RBIs, and this season it's been more of a disaster, with just 16 homers and 61 RBIs, with a .699 OPS.

The Phils have apparently had enough of the rollercoaster ride, and want off, asap. Besides, they'll need to save at least some of that $20M to put towards the monster contract that pending free agent Kyle Schwarber will be signing to return.