Phillies Trade Brewing? Hot Stove Heating Up Days Before Deadline
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The Philadelphia Phillies have some big decisions to make this week. They have a few holes on the roster, and they're expected to use the trade block to fill the spots that need upgrading.
The biggest holes on the Phillies' roster are in the outfield and the backend of their bullpen. There are plenty of options for the front office to look at, but they're going to need to cut ties with some talent in the process.
FanSided's Christopher Kline recently suggested the Phillies could cut ties with outfielder Nick Castellanos ahead of the trade deadline, though it might not make the most sense.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 25: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 25, 2025 in New York City. The Phillies defeated...
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 25: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 25, 2025 in New York City. The Phillies defeated the Yankees 12-5. More"Even if it's not the Royals, the idea of a Castellanos trade isn't too hard to wrap one's head around. He's under contract for $20 million next season, which is a hefty price tag, but Casty's a legitimate power source in the middle of a lineup," Kline wrote. "He's also a strong culture fit in any clubhouse, bringing a palpable energy that has made him beloved in Philadelphia.
"From the Phillies' standpoint, trading their one good outfielder when improving outfield depth is a top priority on the trade deadline does not quite line up. But sometimes value is value, and getting off of Casty's money would allow Philadelphia to operate more aggressively in free agency — or even in separate trades at the deadline."
Cutting ties with Castellanos would save some money, but the goal is to win a World Series, and he's been a valuable piece of the team.
For this idea to make sense, the Phillies would need to land at least one outfielder in return. They're expected to be in the market to add at least one outfielder, so if they can pull that off, a deal involving Castellanos could make sense.
At the end of the day, the outfield is a weakness. Trading away a productive outfielder would hurt the team, even if it saves money.
More MLB: Yankees Rumors: New York Urged To Pursue Intra-Division Trade For Veteran Pitcher
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