The Phillies are bringing in Adolis Garcia on a one-year, $10 million deal, and it immediately puts a spotlight on someone already in the building: Nick Castellanos. Castellanos is still on the roster and saying all the right things, but Philadelphia has spent the offseason looking for ways to upgrade its outfield.
Garcia, 32, is coming off two uneven offensive seasons, but the Phillies are betting on everything else he brings. He was one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball from 2021 through 2023, averaging more than 30 home runs and starring in October. He was non-tendered by the Texas Rangers last month, but even while his bat cooled, the defensive numbers never did. That alone makes him a fit for a team trying to get more athletic and more dependable in the corners.
And that’s where this gets interesting for Castellanos. He has one year left on his deal and has been in trade rumors for weeks. Garcia plays the same position, brings better defense, and comes at a fraction of the cost. The Phillies haven’t pushed Castellanos out the door, but they’re giving themselves every option to move on if the right deal surfaces.
For Garcia, Citizens Bank Park is a good landing spot. His power should play, and the lineup around him takes pressure off. For the Phillies, it’s a classic short-term bet on upside and a subtle signal about how they want to reshape the roster.
For Castellanos, it’s one more reminder that the team is already preparing for whatever comes next.
