Nick Castellanos has agreed to a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres following his release from the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies will cover nearly all of his $20 million salary, while the Padres pay the league minimum of around $780,000. Castellanos arrives in spring training seeking a fresh start and a chance to contribute to the team's World Series goals.
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Nick Castellanos, entering the final year of his five-year contract with the Phillies, was released by the team on Thursday after trade talks failed to materialize. The move came amid a soured relationship, highlighted by a June incident in Miami where Castellanos brought a beer into the dugout to express frustration after being removed for defensive reasons. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski stated the release was in the best interest for a change of scenery.
Castellanos posted an apology on Instagram, acknowledging he let emotions get the best of him. "When I said I will learn from this, it’s just letting my emotions get the best of me in a moment," he said Sunday at the Peoria Sports Complex. "Possibly, if I see things that frustrate me that I don’t believe are conducive to winning, speaking up when I see it, instead of letting things pile up."
The Padres announced the signing on Sunday, providing Castellanos with a new opportunity. General manager A.J. Preller confirmed offseason trade discussions with Philadelphia but noted no deal was reached. "He gets a fresh start here, and a fresh opportunity," Preller said. The team envisions Castellanos primarily as a designated hitter, with potential reps at first base— a position he has never played in the majors but worked on during drills with coaches Nick Punto and Ryan Goins upon arrival.
Outfield spots are set with Fernando Tatis Jr. in right and Ramón Laureano in left, so Castellanos may see time in corners or at first against left-handed pitching. Center fielder Jackson Merrill welcomed him: "We’re all going to look at him as a new human being. That was the Phillies, and we’re the San Diego Padres."
Childhood friend Manny Machado, born and raised in Miami, expressed excitement: "Couldn’t ask for a better teammate to come here and be part of it." Castellanos, an All-Star in 2021 with the Reds and 2023 with the Phillies, hit .250 with a .694 OPS last season but averaged 23 home runs over the past three years. He has 1,742 career hits and 250 home runs across 13 seasons with the Tigers, Cubs, Reds, and Phillies.
"I definitely can embrace that," Castellanos said of his new role. "Fresh start, new group. San Diego is a very talented team... However I can contribute to that and lift this team up to accomplish that goal, I am more than willing." Manager Craig Stammen added that Castellanos must earn at-bats: "We want him to get hot as heck and us to be forced to put him in the lineup."
The Padres, who finished 28th in home runs last season, see Castellanos as an upgrade to their offense despite his recent struggles.