The Philadelphia Phillies will begin the 2026 season without Nick Castellanos in the clubhouse, but they will still remain financially tied to him. Philadelphia is responsible for nearly the entire $20 million owed on his contract while he plays for the San Diego Padres, almost as if he were still on the Phillies’ roster.
The report came from Jeff Kerr, who revealed on X that Castellanos’ former team will cover almost all of what remains on his final contract year. “The Phillies are responsible for $19.22 million of Nick Castellanos’ salary this season after his deal with the Padres.”
As a result, the Padres will pay Castellanos just over $780,000, essentially close to the league minimum for a rookie player. That gives San Diego a significant financial advantage, adding a relatively low-cost veteran who could provide depth as a bench option in either the infield or outfield.
What position will Castellanos play with the Padres?
It’s still not entirely clear, and there has been no official announcement. However, Dennis Lin, MLB and Padres writer for The Athletic, reported that Castellanos is expected to take on as many as three different roles with his new club. Those roles could include designated hitter, first baseman, and outfielder.
San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen spoke indirectly about how Castellanos could benefit from a fresh start in San Diego. “Sometimes you get the best out of players when they get to start over and try to learn from their past experiences,” the skipper said.
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Jackson Merrill sends clear message to Nick Castellanos before he suits up for the Padres
But Stammen was not the only one to suggest that a new environment could help the former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder. Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove echoed a similar sentiment about his new teammate. “Sometimes getting in a new environment, a fresh group of guys can re-spark something.”
