The Phillies are in a tricky situation with Nick Castellanos, who has been a point of contention since November. Dave Dombrowski, the president of baseball operations, hinted at a potential trade, stating, 'We continue to talk to clubs about [a trade].' However, if a trade isn't finalized by the first full-squad workout, the Phillies are prepared to release Castellanos, despite his $20 million salary. This decision comes after Castellanos' relationship with manager Rob Thomson soured last season due to playing time disputes, including a notable incident in Miami. The Phillies have also signed Adolis García, a free-agent outfielder, to take Castellanos' spot in right field, indicating a clear intention to move on. Castellanos' performance last season was underwhelming, with a .250 batting average, 17 home runs, and an 88 OPS-plus, 12% below the league average. His defensive skills were also criticized, with negative-11 defensive runs saved. The Phillies are hoping to find a team willing to take on a portion of Castellanos' salary, but with a depressed offensive environment across the sport, especially among right-handed outfielders, the trade market might be challenging. The Pittsburgh Pirates, who were initially considered a potential partner, signed Marcell Ozuna instead. Dombrowski remains optimistic, stating, 'We’re doing everything we can to make a move by that time period.' The Phillies are still in discussions with 'two or three teams,' including the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies, who have significant needs in their lineups.
