MLB Rumors: Phillies Could Put This Star Player On Trade Market

The Philadelphia Phillies made another nice run this season, led by a cadre of veteran stars including Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos and JT Realmuto. But is the team considering perhaps using their glut of star power on the trade market to fill some other needs? 

The Phillies are "open to trading" Nick Castellanos, per @Feinsand

Castellanos has three years remaining on his five-year, $100M deal pic.twitter.com/Z5zP7TltWP

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 9, 2023

According to Mark Feinsand of mlb.com:

According to a source, the Phillies are open to the idea of trading Nick Castellanos, whose streaky ways and disappointing performance in the NLCS could result in an offseason change.

Castellanos' streakiness saw him follow up a rousing NLDS, in which he blasted four home runs and hit .467 with a 1.796 OPS, with an NLCS of going 1-for-24 (.042), although that one hit was a longball. 

The 31-year-old two-time All-Star had a very nice regular season for the Phils, leaving the yard 29 times, with 106 RBIs and an OPS+ of 112. But with his defense in right field as streaky as his hitting, he could be, of all of the Phillies' big stars, the most expendable. 

Castellanos is due to make $20M per year for three more seasons, so a trade could free up the funds for the Phils to try for one of the free agent outfield sluggers on the market this winter, including Jorge Soler or Teoscar Hernandez. It should be noted, of course, that neither of those two have been a lock to show consistency over the years, either. 

Alternatively, suggests Feinsand, the Phillies could re-sign free agent Rhys Hoskins as well, to replace Castellanos's bat, should they deal him.

Photo: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports