Padres Acquire Nick Castellanos After Messy Phillies Departure: Report

The two-time All-Star outfielder signed a one-year deal with San Diego after being released by Philadelphia.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Nick Castellanos, the two-time All-Star outfielder, has reportedly signed a one-year, $780,000 guaranteed deal with the San Diego Padres after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies. Castellanos had a messy departure from the Phillies, admitting to bringing a beer into the dugout during a game at loanDepot Park in Miami. The Padres will pay the league minimum for Castellanos, with the Phillies on the hook for the remaining $19.12 million he was owed.

Why it matters

Castellanos is a proven power hitter who has made two All-Star teams, but his off-field issues and declining production last season raised questions about his future. The Padres are taking a low-risk flier on the 34-year-old, hoping he can bounce back and provide depth to their outfield and designated hitter spots.

The details

After four seasons with the Phillies, Castellanos was released by the team this week. In his time in Philadelphia, he made an All-Star team, hit 82 home runs, and provided some memorable postseason moments, but he also had a league-average OPS+ of 100 and struggled on both offense and defense last year. The Padres are hoping Castellanos can prove that his rough 2022 season was an anomaly and not a sign of things to come.

  • On Thursday, the Philadelphia Phillies announced that Castellanos was being released.
  • On Saturday, Castellanos reportedly signed a one-year, $780,000 guaranteed deal with the San Diego Padres.

The players

Nick Castellanos

A two-time All-Star outfielder who was entering the final year of a $100 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

San Diego Padres

The Major League Baseball team that signed Castellanos to a one-year deal after his release from the Phillies.

Philadelphia Phillies

The MLB team that released Castellanos this week after four seasons with the organization.

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What’s next

The Padres will look to Castellanos to provide a veteran presence and offensive production as they aim to compete in the NL West in 2023.

The takeaway

This move represents a low-risk, high-upside opportunity for the Padres to add a proven power hitter to their lineup, while the Phillies are left to absorb the remaining salary on Castellanos' contract after his messy departure from the team.