PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies just made a professional MLB introduction and fans were stunned: Nick Castellanos, the star outfielder who has been a key contributor to the team, is on the verge of leaving, but so far no team has agreed to pay his $20 million salary for the 2026 season. According to Jeff Passan, a famous sports journalist for ESPN, the Phillies have publicly said they will either trade or release Castellanos before the new season starts.
A $20 million salary is a big number for many MLB teams, especially considering Castellanos’ recent performance. In the 2025 season, he played a key role for the Phillies with 112 RBIs and 38 home runs, but his WAR and OPS numbers did not really stand out compared to the salary the team had to pay. This makes other teams think carefully before paying this amount.
According to Passan’s sources, the Phillies have made it clear that they will not retain Castellanos at his current salary if a trade is not successful. This is a strategic move aimed at freeing up budget and creating operational flexibility for automatic assignments or signing other pitchers and hitters to strengthen the championship-contending roster.
But so far, no one has answered. The main reason is the cost considerations – a $20 million salary, combined with additional accounts in the contract, makes a trade risky. Several teams have considered, but all shook their heads when calculating the budget and evaluating Castellanos’ potential.
The inability to trade or release Castellanos puts the Phillies in a big position:
The budget is “locked” in a high salary regime, limiting other services.
The locker room needs to deal with the psychological issue of players, knowing that a prominent teammate is likely to leave the team.
Fans are concerned about the team’s ability to win in 2026 if the roster lacks flexibility.
Meanwhile, Castellanos has maintained a professional attitude. Sources say he is still training hard and preparing for the new season, not letting the strong effects affect his performance on the field.
If the Phillies cannot successfully trade, they will have to release Castellanos – which means losing him but at the same time freeing up $20 million. This is a big gamble but could help them reinvest in young energy or quality pitching, especially in the increasingly competitive NL East.
Jeff Passan emphasized: “It’s a tense issue because the Phillies want to keep their competitive image, but Castellanos is also an important player. If the trade is not approved, a release is almost certain. However, the current market is too exhausted with a $20 salary.”
Philadelphia fans are anxiously waiting to see if Castellanos finds a new home or if he leaves quietly, paving the way for a new program for the Phillies ahead of the 2026 season. This race will not only determine the Phillies’ roster, but will also create a frenzy in the MLB DIY market – where every dollar and every shot is carefully considered.
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