Phillies reportedly parting ways with $100M 2-time All-Star, Silver Slugger after drama-filled year

Hunter Cookston

•
Phillies reportedly parting ways with $100M 2-time All-Star, Silver Slugger after drama-filled year image

The Philadelphia Phillies are entering an offseason where significant changes could be on the horizon. Those changes may include familiar faces leaving and new ones arriving. One name to keep an eye on during free agency is Kyle Tucker, especially with the possibility of Kyle Schwarber not returning.

“However, if Schwarber gets away, or they decide to open up the payroll even further, Tucker would be a great fit on a veteran roster built to contend right now. Nick Castellanos is a free agent after the 2026 season, which could make it easier to move him in a salary dump or simply cut their losses and release him if he gets off to a slow start, further emphasizing the need for a corner outfield bat,” Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter wrote.

The Phillies are reportedly planning to part ways with Nick Castellanos one way or another, even though his contract still has a year left.

“The Phillies are expected to either trade or release the veteran outfielder, club sources have said. Dombrowski’s reluctance to say anything about Castellanos on Thursday affirmed that stance. When asked about Castellanos, Dombrowski said he could not comment on ‘specific players that are on our roster under contract,’ then spent the next 34 minutes doing just that,” The Athletic’s Matt Gelb wrote.

The writing has been on the wall for Castellanos for quite some time.

“It has been apparent for the past few months that Castellanos’ time with the organization would probably come to an end this winter. He hasn’t performed up to expectations for most of his time in Philly. He’s coming off a career-worst .250/.294/.400 batting line and lost playing time in the second half,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Anthony Franco wrote.

Castellanos will now look to find another team willing to take him on. The tension in Philadelphia became clear toward the end of the season, and sometimes a fresh start is exactly what a player needs — even a veteran who’s been around the league for years.

Now, the Phillies will likely be in the market for a new right fielder, which is why Tucker’s name continues to surface as a potential offseason splash.

More MLB news:

Hunter Cookston

Hunter Cookston began his career as a sportswriter for the Marion Tribune, where he covered local high school football, basketball and baseball. His passion for sports started at the age of four when he played his first year of tee ball. Growing up in Tennessee, he developed a deep love for the Tennessee Volunteers and Atlanta Braves. Hunter is currently attending Tennessee Wesleyan University, where he is pursuing a BA in Sports Communications/Management.