Padres Sign Nick Castellanos After Phillies Release

The outfielder market has thinned out after the two-time All-Star's move to San Diego.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Just days after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies, outfielder Nick Castellanos has signed with the San Diego Padres. The two-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger had struggled in Philadelphia and become a bit of a distraction, leading to his release. With Castellanos off the market, the remaining outfield options are limited, especially for teams seeking right-handed power.

Why it matters

Castellanos was one of the top remaining outfielders available in free agency, and his signing with the Padres leaves a thin market for teams looking to bolster their outfield. This could impact the offseason plans for several contending clubs.

The details

Castellanos, 33, hit .250/.294/.400 with 17 home runs for the Phillies in 2025. His release and subsequent signing with the Padres came after he was benched for a game for grabbing a beer in the dugout after being replaced defensively. With Castellanos off the board, the remaining outfield options include Starling Marte, Randal Grichuk, Tommy Pham, and Andrew McCutchen, though McCutchen is more of a designated hitter at this stage of his career.

  • Castellanos was released by the Phillies just days before signing with the Padres.
  • The 2026 MLB season is set to begin on March 26.

The players

Nick Castellanos

A two-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger outfielder who was recently released by the Philadelphia Phillies before signing with the San Diego Padres.

Starling Marte

A free agent outfielder who is one of the remaining options on the market after Castellanos' signing with the Padres.

Randal Grichuk

A free agent outfielder who is one of the remaining options on the market after Castellanos' signing with the Padres.

Tommy Pham

A free agent outfielder who is one of the remaining options on the market after Castellanos' signing with the Padres.

Andrew McCutchen

A free agent who is more of a designated hitter at this stage of his career and is one of the remaining options on the market after Castellanos' signing with the Padres.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The remaining outfield options are likely to sign one-year deals to be platoon pieces, and the market may continue to move slowly, potentially even past Opening Day on March 26.

The takeaway

Castellanos' signing with the Padres leaves a thin market for teams seeking outfield help, especially right-handed power. This could impact the offseason plans for several contending clubs as they look to fill holes in their rosters.