The Philadelphia Phillies nearly found an unexpected escape route from the Nick Castellanos contract saga and it almost came courtesy of one of baseball’s most historic American League franchises.
When the Phillies decided to move on from Castellanos, the separation didn’t bring much financial relief. Philadelphia ultimately absorbed the remaining $20 million on his deal, even though there had been quiet interest around the league that could have softened the blow.
According to Dylan Svoboda of the New York Post, the New York Yankees explored the idea of acquiring the veteran slugger earlier in the offseason. Such a move could have allowed Philadelphia to shed salary while possibly receiving assets in return.
“The Yankees were talked out of pursuing Nick Castellanos,” Svoboda reported, noting that the organization conducted internal evaluations before backing off. Per The Post’s Jon Heyman, New York received mixed reviews on the potential fit and decided against making a formal push.
Instead of taking a gamble on Castellanos, the Yankees pivoted in a different direction bringing back Paul Goldschmidt to provide right-handed depth off the bench and serve as a complement to young first baseman Ben Rice. The decision signaled New York’s preference for roster balance over long-term financial risk.
For the Phillies, that shift meant there would be no bailout from the Bronx. The front office chose to cut ties outright rather than wait for a trade partner, prioritizing roster flexibility over financial efficiency. League sources indicate Philadelphia was motivated to reset clubhouse dynamics and open at-bats for younger contributors, even at a steep cost.
Castellanos eventually resurfaced with the San Diego Padres in free agency, where he’s already experimenting with defensive versatility. Reports out of Padres camp show him taking reps at first base — a potential position switch that could extend his career and revive his offensive production. San Diego’s coaching staff believes a reduced defensive workload in right field may help him refocus at the plate.
In the end, the Phillies’ near-miss with the Yankees will stand as one of the offseason’s quieter “what-ifs.” A deal with baseball’s most storied American League franchise might have eased the financial sting in Philadelphia. Instead, both teams charted different paths — leaving Castellanos to begin a new chapter on the West Coast while the Phillies move forward with a restructured roster and renewed payroll flexibility.
