The Philadelphia Phillies have made a key decision this season following the MLB trade deadline, which could have ripple effects on the organization this winter. Acquiring Harris Bader found the team a new center fielder and reshuffled the outfield.
Not only are the Phillies now playing Bader in center field every day, but the team is also playing Brandon Marsh in left field more often than not, along with Max Kepler getting more playing time in right field over Nick Castellanos.
This decision of benching Castellanos more often could lead to the Phillies making a decision this winter over whether Castellanos sticks with the team or not. According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Castellanos could be playing his final season in Philadelphia in 2025.
What Are the Phillies Expected to do With Nick Castellanos This Winter?
"The Phillies," Nightengale writes, "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."
While Castellanos was a big part of the team's success over the last few seasons, his struggles in 2025 have been too much, and the Phillies could decide to end his five-year, $100 million contract a year early.
He's signed through the 2026 season, with a $20 million salary for 2026. Instead of keeping him around as an expensive platoon player, the Phillies are expected to aggressively pursue a trade in the offseason.
It won't be easy to find a trade partner who is willing to take on his $20 million, but if the Phillies cover some, or most of his contract, they could free up some money, and more importantly, clear the way for the Phillies to create a new-look outfield.
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Justin Crawford is the Phillies' top outfield prospect, and while he's not likely to be called up in 2025, he will likely have a good chance to be on the roster from the beginning of the 2026 MLB season.
While Harrison Bader is a free agent after the 2025 season, the Phillies could elect to bring him, or even Max Kepler, back for the 2026 season. Combined with Crawford and Brandon Marsh, the Phillies' outfield would be complete without Castellanos.
At 33 years old, Castellanos is struggling in his 13th MLB season. He has a .699 OPS and an 89 OPS+ (the worst mark of his big league career when playing more than 11 games in a season).
Recently, his production has been a huge reason for his lack of success. Since the start of July, Castellanos has been hitting just .200 with a .563 OPS. Since August began, he's hitting .194 with a .530 OPS.
He's seen a lot less playing time in the last few days, as Kepler's offensive resurgence has coincided with Castellanos' struggles, forcing Rob Thomson to platoon the duo in right field.
Castellanos still holds an important role for the Phillies this season, as he'll start against left-handed pitchers. But looking ahead to 2026, the Phillies are expected to aggressively try to trade Castellanos this winter, parting with one of their big 2022 free agent signings who helped kick off the Phillies' success over the last few years.
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