Nick Castellanos Signs with the Phillies for 5 Years $100 Million
The Phillies and Nick Castellanos have agreed to a deal, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Outfielder Nick Castellanos and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 19, 2022
It was reported earlier in the day by Jayson Stark that there was real interest between the two sides, but the news did not come out until 11:25 pm, surely stirring many Phillies fans from their slumber. Or if not, giving them a nice thing to wake up to.
Castellanos is the second big bat they have landed this offseason. Last year his slash line was .309/.362/.939, with 34 HRs, and 100 RBIs. It was his first year with 30+ HRs, but he also hit 14 in 2020 in just 60 games in the Covid shortened season. It was also his first year with a Batting average over .300. His career slash line is .278/.329/.486/.814 with 168 home runs.
The move puts them over the luxury tax threshold for now. They could still move some money out to get back under it, but John Middleton has said he would surpass it for the right move. The right move seemed to be bringing in another power hitting righty to help protect Harper in the lineup. His 5 year $100 million deal however feels like a bit of a bargain considering what some other coveted hitters got this off season.
Nick Castellanos has experience at both 3rd base and the outfield. But he hasn’t played any 3rd base since 2017, and for good reason. He had 18 errors in the field the last time he played third. Expect him to roam left field, and for Kyle Schwarber to now DH in most games.
The Phillies will now run a lineup consisting of Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, JT Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto, Nick Castellanos, Didi Gregorius, Alec Bohm, and whoever they decide to play in CF most nights. That gives them 3 guys coming off 30hr seasons. In addition, Hoskins hit 27 despite missing over 50 games, and likely would have hit 30 were he not injured. Realmuto and Didi have hit 20 hrs in the past. The summer of bombs at Citizens Bank Park is approaching.
