The Philadelphia Phillies will reportedly be aggressive in trying to trade Nick Castellanos this offseason. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale recently reported the team could be willing to eat some of his salary as well.
Castellanos is a two-time All-Star and a Silver Slugger award winner. However, this season, he is hitting .253 with just 16 home runs and is no longer a lock to start every game. Castellanos could draw trade interest if the Phillies are willing to pay some of his salary as he enters the final year of his five-year, $100 million deal.
BALLCAP Sports’ Jim Riley suggested the Chicago Cubs could trade for Castellanos to serve as a designated hitter or replace Kyle Tucker if he leaves in free agency.
“He has one more year at $20 million left, and if the Phillies will eat half of it, I think there are several teams for $10 million that should be interested,” said Riley.
Tucker started the season off looking like an MVP candidate. However, he has not been quite as sharp lately. He has reportedly been playing through a hand injury and still figures to land a highly lucrative deal in free agency.
Tucker could be the prize of free agency, and if the Cubs lose him, they will need to find answers in the outfield. They could lean on young players like Owen Caissie or Kevin Alcantara. However, Castellanos is a veteran who could be cheap.
Riley noted that Castellanos could be a great one-year pickup if he can hit around 20 home runs for a team.
