The Philadelphia Phillies made the unsurprising decision to part ways with Nick Castellanos on Thursday, and Dave Dombrowski explained why.
The Phillies executive spelled out the full nature of Castellanos’ release and explained why it “didn’t work out” despite the outfielder’s contributions over four seasons.
Castellanos had been a fixture in right field after signing a five-year, $100 million deal with the Phillies before the 2022 season. Yet, his play, especially in right field, cratered, since he had minus-12 outs above average, which was tied for the worst among 110 outfielders.
The Phillies recently signed Adolis Garcia to a one-year, $10 million deal to be his replacement.
Dave Dombrowski: Phillies, Nick Castellanos Needed ‘a Change of Scenery’
It was no secret Dombrowski and the Phillies were shopping Castellanos, and the executive confirmed he was even willing to eat money and take back a limited return simply to get something for the veteran outfielder.
But Dombrowski decided he and the Phillies needed to move on.
“It just hasn’t worked out,” Dombrowski said. “At some point, you just have to say this isn’t going to work, and we have felt we need to get a change of scenery for Nick and wish him nothing but the best. He did a lot of good things for our organization.”
The Phillies made the World Series in Castellanos’ first year in Philadelphia, and his second year was by far his best. He was an All-Star and was second on the team in home runs (29) behind only Kyle Schwarber, helping the Phillies win 90 games and come within a game of the World Series again.
“He was here four years. We won every year he was here,” Dombrowski said. “He got a lot of big hits for us and a lot of big hits in the postseason.”
Dave Dombrowski Pushed Back Against the ‘Miami Incident’
In his letter thanking Phillies fans for their support, Castellanos acknowledged the reported incident in Miami where he cracked a beer in the dugout after being removed for defense late in a game against the Miami Marlins.
Dombrowski said there was more in play than just the one situation.
“I know a lot is being said about this incident in Miami,” Dombrowski said. “I don’t think it’s necessarily one incident. I just think sometimes you’re in a situation where you’re around day in and day out, things just don’t work at a particular time.”
Instead, Dombrowski pointed out the Phillies’ decision to platoon Castellanos with Max Kepler in right field after Philadelphia acquired Harrison Bader midseason. To Dombrowski, Castellanos had a hard time adjusting to being a part-time player.
“Nick’s been a very good player. He’s had a nice career, and he will probably continue to do things very well,” Dombrowski said. “But a lot of times when a good player has his role changed with the club, it can cause some friction, and his role changed last year from where it was. He played every single day for a lot of years in a row. So sometimes that can contribute to it.
“When you put all that together, sometimes you just need a change of scenery.”
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