Major Report: Cincinnati Red Release All-Star Rightfielder Who Has Been Struggling At The Major League Level

Reds must avoid Phillies’ desperate attempt to trade this former All-Star

Despite having one year remaining on his current contract, former Cincinnati Reds All-Star Nick Castellanos could be on the move this offseason. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Philadelphia Phillies shopped Castellanos last winter, and will be much more aggressive trying to move him this winter, even eating a significant portion of his remaining $20 million salary,

Castellanos’ two seasons with the Reds featured plenty of highlights, but a reunion with the former All-Star shouldn’t be on the docket this offseason. He’s hitting just .252/.296/.406 in 2025 with 16 home runs and 62 RBI, but has become a defensive liability and is now part of platoon in right field alongside Max Kepler.

There’s also been some internal conflicts in the Phillies’ clubhouse this season, much of which has centered around Castellanos and his manager Rob Thomson.

Reds must avoid Phillies’ desperate attempt to trade for Nick Castellanos
Castellanos enduring the one of worst statistical seasons of his career should be reason enough to avoid a trade with the Phillies, but Noelvi Marte’s recent success since being moved to the outfield should be one of the chief reasons that Cincinnati avoids any type of trade conversations with Philadelphia this winter.

Marte’s offensive numbers have been trending in the right direction since being moved off the infield dirt and onto the outfield grass. Though still a work in progress, Marte looks to have right field under lock and key heading into next season.

 

Do the Reds even need a veteran presence in the outfield next season? Though Gavin Lux is more well suited to be on the infield, the Reds could look to move Spencer Steer back to left field in 2026, especially if Sal Stewart is expected to take over at first base. There’s also Hector Rodriguez, a top outfield prospect who was just promoted to Triple-A last month.

Castellanos is a familiar name to Reds fans, but he’s not the player he once was. Though the idea is somewhat fun and would bring back fond memories, it’s not the type of trade the Reds should be making during the offseason.