The idea of moving Castellanos has gained traction among several outlets. For example, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale recently wrote that the Phillies are expected to “aggressively try to trade” him this winter, even if that means Philadelphia would have to eat a large portion of his remaining contract. Also, Mark Feinsand at MLB.com and other analysts have flagged him as a trade candidate in their offseason projections, pointing to the Phillies’ need for more consistent offense and better defense in right field.
One of the strongest pulls toward trading him is financial: Castellanos is signed through the 2026 season at roughly $20 million per year. Given his uneven production, many think the Phillies could improve their win probability by freeing up some payroll to invest elsewhere.
On the other hand, there are also arguments that Philadelphia may prefer to keep him. Sources close to the Phillies reportedly say the team “considers him an important part of the team and values his production,” suggesting they are not fully settled on trading him. Also, Castellanos has shown bursts of offensive strength — especially in second halves of seasons — which gives the Phillies something valuable to hold onto while seeking upgrades elsewhere.
Another factor is the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement. Some GMs believe the Phillies would need to address right field first with an upgrade, or shift other players around (e.g. moving outfielders, acquiring someone via trade or free agency) before they could justify moving Castellanos. The defensive shortcomings in right field also make his trading a bit more complicated. Teams acquiring him would likely expect the Phillies to subsidize salary or otherwise sweeten the deal.
As for New York (presumably the Yankees or Mets), there is less specific reporting that either team is being predicted as the destination. Most articles are more general, indicating that “a team needing a power bat” could be a likely trade partner.The notion that Castellanos could go to New York seems more speculative than grounded in confirmed trade talks. I haven’t found strong, credible sources yet that explicitly pin New York as the destination.
