Moving on from Nick Castellanos didn’t come with much relief for the Philadelphia Phillies financially, especially considering there was at least some level of outside interest before the team decided to eat the $20 million remaining on his contract.
According to Dylan Svoboda of the New York Post, the New York Yankees considered the possibility of trading for the veteran slugger earlier in the offseason, a scenario that could have helped Philadelphia offload salary while recouping value.
“The Yankees were talked out of pursuing Nick Castellanos,” Svoboda reported.
“The team looked into trading for the Phillies slugger earlier this offseason, but backed off after receiving mixed reviews, according to The Post’s Jon Heyman.”
Instead of pursuing Castellanos, New York opted for a different roster fit.
“Instead, the Yankees brought back Paul Goldschmidt, who will serve as a right-handed bat off the bench and spell the lefty-swinging Ben Rice at first base.”
Had the Yankees gone that route, the Phillies may have found an easier and kinder exit from Castellanos’ contract. Instead, Philadelphia moved on without worrying about what financial troubles it had to deal with, while the outfielder eventually landed with the San Diego Padres in free agency.
Castellanos was seen getting some work in as a first baseman after signing with the Padres. Perhaps a position change can help him get back to form offensively.
