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Earlier this week, Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson elaborated on Nick Castellanos' recent absences from the team's starting lineup, indicating that the former Chicago Cubs slugger has effectively been demoted from his starting role in right field.
Nick Castellanos isn't starting for 2nd time in 3 games. Fair to say RF is a full-on platoon?
— Paul Casella (@Paul_CasellaMLB) September 4, 2025
Rob Thomson: “It looks that way. I mean, you can call it whatever you want, but at this point in the year, I’m gonna put out what I think is the best lineup on any given day to win."
Castellanos has been a mainstay in Philadelphia's lineup since he inked a five-year contract with the team before the 2022 season. But recently, the 33-year-old has been showing signs of regression, and he hasn't been living up to his $20 million average annual value.
In 191 plate appearances since July 1, Castellanos is slashing .200/.246/.317 with just six homers and a 53 wRC+. With the Phillies trying to hold their first-place position in the National League East, it's not hard to understand why Thomson is looking for production elsewhere. Although Max Kepler, who started in right for the Phillies on Thursday, has also struggled this year with a .678 OPS. But Kepler is a much more capable defender than Castellanos, who is known for his shoddy work with the glove in right.
Nick Castellanos' future in Philadelphia seems murky, at best
Castellanos has one more year on his deal, but it looks likely that Philadelphia could explore moving him this winter. His struggles at the plate and in the outfield aside, Castellanos came under fire in June and was benched by Thomson after a heated exchange between the pair. The outfielder has always a polarizing personality, and Philadelphia may be ready to move on.
I don't think a reunion with Chicago is likely. Even if the Cubs don't bring back Kyle Tucker, Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Seiya Suzuki will be in the outfield mix next year, along with rookie Owen Caissie. But a change of scenery seems like it would greatly benefit Castellanos, who had a few hot stretches in the first half of 2025.
Look no further than Castellanos' brief time with the Cubs in 2019 to see how he can make an impact on a lineup. In just 212 at-bats for Chicago that year, Castellanos crushed 21 doubles, 16 homers, 36 RBI, and a monster .321/.358/.646 slash line.