MLB Rumors: Top Teams In Contention For Nick Castellanos

The word came out earlier this month that Derek Jeter left the Miami Marlins organization because he was upset that they wouldn't be spending money as he'd hoped—particularly on free agent and hometown kid Nick Castellanos. 

Now we're hearing more reports that the Marlins are one of two teams, along with the Philadelphia Phillies, who are battling it out over the free agent slugger. 

Nick Castellanos continues to draw interest from #Phillies and his hometown #Marlins. @MLB @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 17, 2022

The Marlins are in desperate need of an offensive boost to their lineup, and Castellanos would provide it, proving himself once and for all as a premier power bat last season. The 30-year-old outfielder elevated himself into the upper echelon of home run producers, bashing 34 along with 100 RBIs, a .309 average and .939 OPS for the Cincinnati Reds. 

The Phillies have already added a masher earlier this week in the form of DH/OF Kyle Schwarber. Augmenting that signing with Nick Castellanos would give Bryce Harper more than enough offensive help to try to get the Phillies back into the postseason. Harper was thrilled with the Schwarber addition:

“He’s a proven winner everywhere he has gone”

“Seeing that the Braves and the Mets are getting a lot better, we have to stay up on that. We are here to win”

“Hopefully we’re not done and we go out and get another guy”

-Bryce Harper on Kyle Schwarber pic.twitter.com/RHuixki0Bb

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) March 16, 2022

“Hopefully we’re not done and we go out and get another guy," said Harper. 

But while Schwarber got 4 years and $79M, it's known that Castellanos is looking for a contract well north of that, perhaps 7 or 8 years in length, and far surpassing the $100M mark. 

We've seen the Phillies spend like that; are the Marlins prepared to swim in such deep waters? 

Photo Credit:  Meg Vogel / USA TODAY NETWORK