There appears to be tension between Philadelphia Phillies slugger Nick Castellanos and manager Rob Thomson. Reports indicate Castellanos was benched on Tuesday after making an inappropriate remark to Thomson following his removal from Monday’s game.
This situation may blow over quickly — Castellanos could even return to the lineup during Tuesday’s game against the Miami Marlins. However, as the Rafael Devers situation with the Red Sox recently showed, minor clubhouse incidents can escalate and even lead to high-profile trades.
That leads to speculation: if the Phillies grow frustrated enough with Castellanos to explore trade options, would the Cincinnati Reds jump at the chance to bring him back? While GM Nick Krall and team ownership might hesitate, Reds fans would be thrilled at the prospect of Castellanos returning to Cincinnati.
Reds Fans Dreaming of a Castellanos Comeback Amid Phillies Drama
Castellanos signed with the Reds in 2020 following a strong season split between the Tigers and Cubs, agreeing to a four-year, $64 million deal. Although he struggled in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he bounced back in 2021 with a standout performance, earning an All-Star selection and leading the Reds with 100 RBIs. After that season, he opted out of his contract and later signed a five-year, $100 million deal with Philadelphia.
Now in his third year with the Phillies, Castellanos is batting .278/.321/.425 with seven home runs. He’s under contract through 2026, with one year left after this season. While a mid-season trade seems unlikely, disputes like these can escalate quickly in Major League Baseball.
With Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto headed for free agency after the season, the Phillies may eventually look to shed payroll — and Castellanos’ $20 million salary could be a target. For now, though, any potential return to Cincinnati appears to be wishful thinking. Still, the Reds fanbase would eagerly welcome him back if the opportunity ever arose. As it stands, the Reds will likely have to look elsewhere to strengthen their lineup before the trade deadline.