The Philadelphia Phillies have a lot of decisions they'll need to make in the offseason after the 2025 MLB season. From the massive Kyle Schwarber contract to a potential JT Realmuto deal, the Phillies will need to weigh a lot of moves this winter.
One of those moves could come with a player who is still under contract in 2026, in Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos. He's struggled in 2025 and has seen his playing time diminish as the season has progressed.
Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors wrote how the Phillies, amid the successful outfield platoon in 2025, and the ascending Justin Crawford, could have the Phillies make a bold decision with Castellanos in the offseason.
Phillies Predicted to Move on From Nick Castellanos
"It stands to reason they'll try to find a trade partner willing to assume a small portion of Castellanos' salary," Franco writes, "but his second-half numbers could leave them weighing an offseason release if they don't find a taker."
While the Phillies exploring a Castellanos trade wouldn't be that surprising, considering there were Castellanos trade rumors this past offseason, the team deciding to release him would be a bold decision to make.
If the Phillies can't find a trade partner, which might prove difficult based on his play lately, then Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies could decide to cut ties with Castellanos by releasing him this winter.
He was once a postseason hero who hit two home runs in the series against the Atlanta Braves in 2023 to help bring the Phillies to the NLCS. But now, he's struggling to be a positive contributor on offense, the only saving grace for Castellanos in the lineup.
Castellanos is one of the worst fielders in baseball this season, which isn't a huge difference from his previous few seasons in Philadelphia. But he was a much more prolific offensive weapon for the Phillies. That hasn't been the case in 2025.
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In 2025, Castellanos is batting .253 with 16 home runs and 126 hits in 499 at-bats. His 89 OPS+ is the lowest it's been in his career since his rookie season in 2013, when he played just 11 games.
His numbers this season aren't great, but it's his recent production that is likely to force the Phillies' hand. Since the beginning of July, Castellanos has been hitting just .200 with a .563 OPS. He's struck out 46 times compared to 36 hits in 180 at-bats.
The offensive production dip from Castellanos has forced Rob Thomson to employ a platoon in right field, and with Max Kepler turning things around offensively lately, hitting .286 in his last 15 games with an .839 OPS, along with solid defense, there's even more reason for Castellanos not to play every day.
He's making $20 million in 2025 and 2026, and instead of letting him sit on the bench with that contract, the Phillies could find a trade partner or release him to save a roster spot, and potentially some money.
Dombrowski and the Phillies are predicted to look for a trade in the offseason, and if a deal can't be found, they're predicted to make a bold decision in releasing Castellanos this offseason. With his struggles lately, such a decision isn't out of the question.
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