- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,242,607
- Reaction score
- 59
PHILADELPHIA – The Phillies are paying Nick Castellanos $19.22 million not to play for them this year.
In his first return trip to Citizens Bank Park, Castellanos wasn’t in the starting lineup to play against the Phillies either on June 2.
The right-handed-hitting Castellanos was not in the batting order against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola, though he likely will be June 3 when lefty Cristofer Sanchez pitches.
The Padres are paying Castellanos the major league minimum $780,000 in the final year of the 5-year, $100 million deal he inked in 2022 with the Phillies, who must pay the rest.
“I was ready,” he said of planning to return to the Phillies before being told not to during the winter. “My phone was on. All I needed was a conversation ‘Hey this is gonna be your role.’
“Apparently they felt it was best for the organization that my personality wasn’t in the clubhouse.”
Castellanos arrived slashing just .191/.221/.339 on the season, fueling speculation he may be looking for a new team again soon.
The Phillies deemed Castellanos expendable after he batted .250 and had defensive shortcomings in right field, plus brought a beer into the dugout in Miami after being pulled for a defensive replacement in a falling out with ex-manager Rob Thomson.
When he does step into the batter’s box this week, Castellanos wasn’t sure what type of reception he’d get.
“I had highs,” he said of his time with the Phillies. “I had lows. As a team we had highs. We had lows. It’s something I’ll aways be able to look back and appreciate.”
Part of that, he added, was wife Jess being from New Jersey, meaning more family connections could be fostered.
He said he’s gotten nothing but “love and positivity” in his interactions with Phillies fans since his departure.
“I spoke my mind. I went about my business. I played every day. I’d never really be on the [Injured List],” said the 34-year-old Castellanos, who played in 602 games over his four years with the Phillies and was a 2023 National League All-Star.
“I really wanted to win a ring. Did I do everything 100 percent correct? Probably not.”
He added he had no regrets.
“It was awesome,” he said of playing in Philadelphia, adding now-12-year-old son Liam’s popularity and interactions with fans were a key part of that.
Contact Kevin Tresolini at [email protected] and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Padres' Nick Castellanos discusses messy Phillies departure in return
Continue reading...
In his first return trip to Citizens Bank Park, Castellanos wasn’t in the starting lineup to play against the Phillies either on June 2.
The right-handed-hitting Castellanos was not in the batting order against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola, though he likely will be June 3 when lefty Cristofer Sanchez pitches.
The Padres are paying Castellanos the major league minimum $780,000 in the final year of the 5-year, $100 million deal he inked in 2022 with the Phillies, who must pay the rest.
You must be registered for see images attach
“I was ready,” he said of planning to return to the Phillies before being told not to during the winter. “My phone was on. All I needed was a conversation ‘Hey this is gonna be your role.’
“Apparently they felt it was best for the organization that my personality wasn’t in the clubhouse.”
Castellanos arrived slashing just .191/.221/.339 on the season, fueling speculation he may be looking for a new team again soon.
The Phillies deemed Castellanos expendable after he batted .250 and had defensive shortcomings in right field, plus brought a beer into the dugout in Miami after being pulled for a defensive replacement in a falling out with ex-manager Rob Thomson.
You must be registered for see images attach
When he does step into the batter’s box this week, Castellanos wasn’t sure what type of reception he’d get.
“I had highs,” he said of his time with the Phillies. “I had lows. As a team we had highs. We had lows. It’s something I’ll aways be able to look back and appreciate.”
Part of that, he added, was wife Jess being from New Jersey, meaning more family connections could be fostered.
He said he’s gotten nothing but “love and positivity” in his interactions with Phillies fans since his departure.
“I spoke my mind. I went about my business. I played every day. I’d never really be on the [Injured List],” said the 34-year-old Castellanos, who played in 602 games over his four years with the Phillies and was a 2023 National League All-Star.
“I really wanted to win a ring. Did I do everything 100 percent correct? Probably not.”
He added he had no regrets.
“It was awesome,” he said of playing in Philadelphia, adding now-12-year-old son Liam’s popularity and interactions with fans were a key part of that.
Contact Kevin Tresolini at [email protected] and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Padres' Nick Castellanos discusses messy Phillies departure in return
Continue reading...
