Padres Sign Nick Castellanos to One-Year Deal Days After Phillies Release
The San Diego club has reached agreement on a one-year contract with outfielder Nick Castellanos just days after Philadelphia released the veteran, ending a turbulent four-season run. The move pairs a low-risk roster fit with roster flexibility for the Padres and closes a chapter that had grown increasingly contentious in Philadelphia.
Deal structure and payroll math
The pact is a one-year, veteran-minimum arrangement that will pay Castellanos roughly $780, 000 for the upcoming season. Philadelphia will absorb the balance of the $20 million remaining on his contract after electing to release him, creating a payroll relief scenario for the new club while allowing the outfielder an opportunity to rebuild value in a new environment.
How the split unfolded in Philadelphia
The Phillies cut ties after attempts to trade Castellanos proved unsuccessful. The decision followed a high-profile clubhouse incident in mid-June that strained relationships and left teammates and staff viewing the situation as irreparable. Management had grown increasingly uncomfortable with the dynamic, and when a trade market failed to materialize, release became the final option.
The Miami dugout incident and its fallout
The rupture traces back to an episode on June 16 (ET) in Miami, when the outfielder was removed for a defensive substitution and responded with an unprofessional outburst in the dugout. He brought a beer into the dugout, confronted staff about team rules and spoke directly and heatedly to the manager. Teammates intervened to defuse the scene and later described the moment as the turning point for clubhouse trust.
Castellanos later posted a handwritten note acknowledging the confrontation, expressing love for the game and promising to learn from the episode. Still, the incident left lingering resentment among some teammates and damaged lines of communication between him and the coaching staff.
What Castellanos brings to San Diego
On the field, Castellanos offers a veteran right-handed bat and positional flexibility. He spent time this offseason working at first base, and the new club figures to use him both in the outfield and at first, giving the roster a corner-hitting option with power potential. Last season he finished with 17 homers and 72 RBIs in 147 games, though his overall offensive efficiency declined, reflected in a subpar OPS and negative fWAR ranking among qualifiers.
Next steps for player and team
For Castellanos, the deal is a chance for a reset in a different clubhouse and a lower-pressure role where a bounce-back season could restore market value. For the Padres, the signing represents a calculated, inexpensive bet on a known contributor who can provide depth and occasional middle-of-the-order pop. Philadelphia’s decision to eat nearly all of the remaining salary signals a desire to move forward and reshape a clubhouse that prioritized culture and consistency.
The agreement closes a chapter that began brightly but soured amid clashing personalities and unmet expectations. Now in a new uniform, Castellanos will have the opportunity to re-establish himself while the Padres add a veteran bat with upside on a deal that limits financial exposure.
