Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters last month at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas that a “change of scenery” might be beneficial for Castellanos, whom the Phils have tried to trade in each of the previous two offseasons. They are trying again this winter.
Both sides expect a separation before Spring Training, sources have said.
Castellanos appeared on MLB Hot Stove on Friday morning on MLB Network. Asked how his 2026 is looking for him, he said, “Well, I have no idea. All I know is that this offseason, I know that I wanted to just live as simple as possible, focus on training and being in a great spot just so I’m physically ready for 162 [games] next year. You know? There’s a lot of stuff right now that’s out of my control as far as like the trade talks and everything. So, I’m just trying to focus on making sure today, I get done what needs to get done. Whatever happens is going to happen.”
Castellanos said he is open to learning to play first base, if “a team or somebody needs me to do that.” It suggests teams have reached out about his willingness to play different positions.
It might take time to trade Castellanos, if it happens at all. He is owed $20 million next season, and the expectation is the Phillies will have to eat most of his salary to move him.
Castellanos was benched in June in Miami for inappropriate comments and actions in the dugout after Phillies manager Rob Thomson removed him from a game for defensive purposes. Castellanos again expressed his frustrations with Thomson in September.
In four seasons with the Phillies, Castellanos has slashed .260/.306/.426 with a .732 OPS and a 100 OPS+, meaning he has been a league average offensive player. His -32 outs above average were seventh lowest over those four seasons, out of 267 qualified players.
This season, Castellanos finished last out of 145 qualified players with -0.6 fWAR and -1.0 bWAR.
Numerous teams could use a right-handed-hitting corner outfielder like Castellanos, but teams might not want to take on any of his salary, thinking they could just sign him for the league minimum instead if he is released.
