PEORIA, Ariz. -- Two days after his split with Philadelphia, Nick Castellanos has found a new home in San Diego.
The slugging right-handed hitter has agreed to a deal with the Padres, as the Phillies are set to cover almost all of the $20 million he is owed this season. Philadelphia released Castellanos, who was entering the final year of his contract, on Thursday.
The Padres, who are expected to cover the league minimum of around $780,000, have not yet confirmed the signing, which is pending a physical.
Castellanos’ fit
At his media availability two days ago, general manager A.J. Preller spoke of adding one more bat to round out the offense. Indeed, that offense now feels largely complete following the Castellanos move. (Additionally, the Padres agreed to a deal with right-hander Griffin Canning on Saturday to help round out their pitching staff.)
Castellanos could start primarily at designated hitter, with the outfield corners already set. But the Padres also envision getting him work at first base, a source said. Castellanos worked a bit at first base last season in Philadelphia, but has still never made an appearance there in the big leagues.
Gavin Sheets remains the projected first baseman, but against left-handed pitching, it’s possible Castellanos could start at first, with fellow newcomer Miguel Andujar at DH. Plus, when one of the Padres’ regular outfielders gets a DH day, Castellanos can cover a corner spot.
In any case, Castellanos will have to compete for at-bats, coming off a poor season in Philadelphia in which he batted .250 with a .694 OPS. For years, he’s played right field almost exclusively. The Padres, of course, are set in right field with Fernando Tatis Jr. Ramón Laureano remains the projected starter in left.
Wherever Castellanos plays, his bat is at least a major upgrade on the group of options that were vying for the final place or two on the Opening Day roster.
A messy departure from Philly
The Phillies released Castellanos with a year and $20 million remaining on his original five-year contract, after his relationship with the team had soured. Philadelphia engaged in talks to trade Castellanos throughout the winter, but never came to a deal.
On Thursday, details came to light that Castellanos brought a beer into the dugout during a game in Miami last June in response to his frustration at being removed by manager Rob Thomson for defensive purposes. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski later said: “We all felt that was probably in the best interest, to have a change of scenery.”
Nonetheless, Castellanos authored his share of indelible moments in Philadelphia, including in the postseason. He was an All-Star in 2023 and was part of Phillies teams that reached the playoffs in four straight years, including the World Series in 2022 (after beating the Padres in the NLCS).
Castellanos was also an All-Star in 2021 with the Reds and has accumulated 1,742 hits and 250 home runs across a 13-year big league career spanning stints with the Tigers, Cubs, Reds and Phillies.
Fresh start in SD
“I think he’s going to come in here, and we’re all going to look at him as a new human being,” said Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill. “That was the Phillies, and we’re the San Diego Padres. I’m just happy to have him.”
Whatever baggage Castellanos left in Philadelphia, the Padres seem willing to leave that in the past. They welcome Castellanos to a clubhouse with October ambitions and think he can help them achieve those goals.
Castellanos’ role is going to be different. He’s recorded 550 plate appearances in 10 of his 11 full big league seasons. That seems unlikely in San Diego -- though he’ll at least be given the opportunity to swing his way into that kind of regular playing time. If he hits, the Padres have a spot for him at DH and potentially some time at first base.
But whether he’s getting 600 at-bats or 300, the Padres’ offense is clearly better on paper with Castellanos than without him. It was an offense that seriously lacked slugging last season, finishing 28th in home runs and 22nd in slugging percentage. Castellanos has averaged 23 home runs across the past three seasons.