Sources told Jeff Passan that the Philadelphia Phillies and free-agent outfielder Nick Castellanos are in agreement on a five-year, $100 million contract.
Castellanos had his best big-league season for Cincinnati in which he ranked in the top 10 of the National League in several offensive categories. He finished fourth in the NL batting race with a.309 average, hit 34 homers, drove in 100 runs, and was ranked third in slugging and fourth in OPS. According to baseball-reference.com, he had a career-best 3.2 WAR.
Castellanos had a banner season. He was elected as a starter for the NL in the All-Star game and won a Silver Slugger award.
The final two years of Castellanos' contract with the Reds would have paid him $34 million. Castellanos turned down the Cincinnati's offer of $18.4 million, which made him a free agent. The Reds will get a compensatory pick after the first round.
Castellanos has played right field since the end of the last season after moving away from the hot corner. He is 14th among all big league hitters in hits and second in doubles.
Castellanos has excelled at the plate, but he has struggled as a defender. Castellanos has posted minus-93 defensive runs saved during his time in the majors. Since Castellanos broke into the majors, that figure has been the worst among all fielders.
Castellanos played for the Cubs and the Tigers. He was drafted with the 44th pick of the 2010 draft, in a compensation round, out of a high school in Southwest Ranches, Fla., about 30 miles from downtown Miami.
The report was contributed to by a person from the sports network.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
