LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Phillies are trying to bash their way into the postseason.
Multiple sources told MLB.com on Friday morning that Philadelphia is making a serious push to sign free-agent outfielder Nick Castellanos?, who has been one of baseballĄ¯s best sluggers over the past several years. MLB.comĄ¯s Jon Paul Morosi first reported the PhilliesĄ¯ pursuit of Castellanos on Thursday afternoon.
The club's interest in Castellanos is somewhat surprising, except for the fact that Dave Dombrowski is president of baseball operations. He is known to surprise the baseball world with bold, unexpected moves.
Castellanos in a Phillies uniform certainly would fall into that category.
The Phils and Kyle Schwarber agreed to terms on Wednesday on a four-year, $79 million contract, and one source said afterward that the Phillies were finished with their heavy lifting. Why? Well, CastellanosĄ¯ deal could exceed $100 million, if it is a long-term deal. Even if it is a short-term contract, it?would push Philadelphia well past the Competitive Balance Tax threshold for the first time in franchise history, although managing partner John Middleton has said multiple times over the years that ownership will exceed the threshold for the right player. The Phillies would also need to surrender a second-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, too, because the Reds made Castellanos a qualifying offer.
The Phils' unexpected push, however, reminds some people of the TigersĄ¯ surprising deal with Prince Fielder in January 2012. Dombrowski and Tigers officials told people publicly and privately that they had no plans to sign Fielder.
They were done, they said.
But then they got him.
Castellanos entered the offseason as one the best players in free agency, but because he has lingered on the market longer than expected, the Phillies have seen an opportunity to strike.
It is an opportunity that outweighs the luxury tax and a second-round pick.
Castellanos, 30, slashed .309/.362/.576 with 38 doubles, 34 home runs, 100 RBIs, a .939 OPS and a 136 OPS+ last season with the Reds. He has an .853 OPS and a 122 OPS+ the past six seasons with the Tigers, Cubs and Reds.
It would give the Phillies perhaps their best offense since the teams that hammered National League pitching under Charlie Manuel from 2005-11.
One hypothetical lineup could be:
- Kyle Schwarber DH
- J.T. Realmuto, C
- Bryce Harper, RF
- Nick Castellanos, LF
- Rhys Hoskins, 1B
- Didi Gregorius, SS
- Jean Segura, 2B
- Alec Bohm, 3B
- Matt Vierling, CF
Castellanos can play both corner-outfield spots, third base and DH. He would give Phillies manager Joe Girardi some lineup versatility as the team intends to use its everyday players to DH. That includes Harper, Realmuto, Hoskins, Schwarber and Castellanos.
Like Schwarber, Castellanos is regarded as a below-average outfielder defensively. Castellanos has -43 Outs Above Average in the outfield since 2016, according to Statcast. Schwarber is -38 OAA. They are the second- and fourth-lowest marks in the Majors during that span, respectively.
But the Phillies arenĄ¯t going to blow past the luxury tax for CastellanosĄ¯ glove. They would be buying his bat, and betting they can outhit everybody in the National League East in pursuit of their first postseason appearance since 2011.