Padres Sign Nick Castellanos to One-Year Deal After Phillies Release
Two days after his release by the Philadelphia club, outfielder Nick Castellanos has agreed to a one-year contract with the San Diego club. The deal is for the veteran's minimum of $780, 000, with Philadelphia picking up the balance of the $20 million still owed on his 2026 salary. Castellanos is expected to split time in the outfield and see work at first base after spending the offseason preparing there.
Deal details and financials
The contract is a one-year agreement at the veteran's minimum salary of $780, 000. The Philadelphia organization will cover the remaining portion of Castellanos' 2026 salary that the club had committed to before his release. That financial arrangement leaves the new club with minimal payroll risk while adding a veteran bat and a flexible defensive profile.
Context behind the release
The release followed a clubhouse incident last season in which Castellanos was benched after a confrontation with the manager. Castellanos later posted a handwritten note outlining the episode: he said he brought a beer into the dugout after being removed for a defensive substitution, confronted the manager about perceived inconsistencies in team rules and then met with team leaders in the office. He wrote that the meeting ended with an apology and that he was benched in the subsequent game as a consequence.
How tensions affected the relationship
Club leaders aimed to resolve the matter before full-squad workouts begin Monday (ET). When a trade partner could not be found, the decision was made to part ways. The split reflected fraying relations that built over the 2025 season, with teammates and staff increasingly uncomfortable after the dugout incident and other clashes. The club opted to eat most of the financial commitment to move forward before spring preparations intensified.
Role and fit in San Diego
In San Diego, Castellanos is expected to be a right-handed bat in a lineup that can use veteran offense and positional versatility. He has spent substantial time this offseason working at first base and could see a mix of outfield and infield work. The modest financial cost to the club gives the new team roster flexibility while preserving the possibility of meaningful lineup contributions from a player with a long track record.
Performance profile and outlook
Castellanos, 33, hit. 250 with 17 home runs and 72 RBIs across 147 games last season. Over the course of his career he has been a two-time All-Star and has surpassed 250 career home runs. His offensive metrics slipped in 2025, and defensive and clubhouse questions contributed to the end of his tenure with his previous team. The upcoming season will be a chance to reestablish value at the plate and showcase positional flexibility as he joins a new environment.
What comes next
The signing clears a roster spot and gives Castellanos an immediate avenue back into the big-league lineup. Spring workouts will be the first extended opportunity for him to integrate with his new teammates and demonstrate how his bat and first-base work translate in regular season play. For the club that signed him, the low-cost deal offers upside with limited downside; for Castellanos, it represents a fresh start and a chance to rebuild momentum ahead of the season.
