MLB Rumors: Padres & Phillies Linked To Trade
The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to move on from the veteran slugger after a frustrating year, and San Diego needs run production without blowing up the budget.
Castellanos brings right-handed power, postseason reps, and a clear lane as a primary DH in a lineup that could use a middle-order bat to protect Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.
Nick Castellanos has hired Mato Sports Management to represent him
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 23, 2025
Why the Padres make sense for Castellanos
San Diego’s roster has outfield coverage with Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, and Ramon Laureano, but the DH spot is unsettled. Castellanos still punishes mistakes, especially against lefties, and he has stacked 20 homer seasons on his resume even in uneven years.
Petco will not fix everything by itself, yet his contact profile plays anywhere when he stays selective. If the cost is softened by cash in a trade, or if a release resets his price to the minimum, the move lines up with the Padres’ goal to add thump while keeping payroll targets intact.
Nick Castellanos signed a 5yr, $100mil deal with the Phillies just days after Kyle Schwarber signed a 4yr, $79mil deal.
— John Foley (@2008Philz) October 17, 2025
Schwarber: .226/.349./.507 (.856 OPS), 429 R, 187 HR, 434 RBI, 25 SB, 11.1 bWAR
Castellanos: .260/.306/.426 (.732 OPS), 287 R, 82 HR, 326 RBI, 28 SB, 1.1 bWAR pic.twitter.com/ctLQXqCYzS
What a deal could look like
The Phillies’ priorities are flexibility in the outfield and future value. That opens multiple paths, from a light prospect package with salary help, to a deeper prospect swing if San Diego wants certainty and a lower cap hit.
A patient Padres approach also has logic, since any Philadelphia decision that eats money only improves San Diego’s value play.
Role clarity matters too. Use Castellanos as the primary DH, spot him in a corner only as needed, lean on him late against left handed relief, and you get the best version of the player without asking him to carry the grass.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
