Five potential trade destinations for Nick Castellanos

On Thursday, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported that the Phillies were "open to the idea" on trading All-Star outfielder Nick Castellanos. 

Castellanos put up solid offensive number his two years in Philadelphia, but he often struggled with plate discipline. This past season, he ranked in the bottom 2% of the league in chase percentage, the bottom 5% in whiff percentage and the bottom 12% in walk rate. Castellanos has also been one of the worst defensive right fielders in baseball, ending 2023 bottom-five with -6 out above average, per Baseball Savant. 

Trading Castellanos would improve the Phillies' outfield defense, and it could allow Bryce Harper to move back to his natural position in right field with first baseman Rhys Hoskins expected to be fully recovered from a torn ACL he suffered last spring training. 

Despite his flaws, it's not often that an All-Star of his caliber is made available on the trade market. Here are the five teams most likely to pursue Castellanos: 

5. Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays are in the market for a full-time DH and could be willing to make a big splash after a disappointing postseason. Castellanos' on-field fit is not an issue here, but his $20 million yearly salary for the next three seasons would be a difficult pill for Toronto to swallow. If Philadelphia is willing to eat some of Castellanos' salary, the Blue Jays would be a prime landing spot. 

4. New York Yankees  

The Yankees' outfield production outside of Aaron Judge was abysmal last year and will be their top priority to improve this offseason. Free agent Cody Bellinger is an obvious fit, but if New York strikes out on him, it could pivot to Castellanos. It may be a little clunky fitting Castellanos, Judge and Giancarlo Stanton into the same lineup, but the Yankees are desperate for offense. 

3. Boston Red Sox

Could trading for Castellanos be the first major move that new chief baseball officer Craig Breslow makes for the Red Sox? Breslow recently said that he would be interested in acquiring a full-time DH instead of platooning the position if he could find someone who is highly productive. Castellanos would be the best available option to fit that role, and on a team that's dominated by left-handed hitting, his right-handed bat would be a welcome addition to the middle of the order. 

2. Chicago Cubs 

The Cubs were one game away from making the postseason, and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has made it clear they're going all-in after the surprise hiring of Craig Counsell. Castellanos had arguably the most productive stretch of his career when the Cubs traded for him at the deadline in 2019, slashing .321/.346/.646 and hitting 16 home runs in just 51 games. A reunion in the North Side would make a lot of sense for a team looking to get over the hump in the always-competitive NL Central. 

1. San Francisco Giants

After winning 107 games in 2021, the Giants been a disappointment. They've missed the postseason the last two years and struck out on signing multiple high-profile free agents, most notably Judge and Carlos Correa. As their roster currently stands, Castellanos should be able to get plenty of reps either as a designated hitter or in right field. The Giants lineup is not at the level to compete against the Dodgers or the Padres in the NL West. San Francisco is desperate for talent, and if it continues to fail in free agency, trading for Castellanos will be the best way for the team to get more offensive production.