Source: Padres, OF Nick Castellanos agree on one-year deal - ESPN
ESPN
February 14, 2026
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Free agent outfielder Nick Castellanos has agreed to a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies just two days prior. The agreement marks a fresh start for Castellanos, who will earn the veteran minimum salary of $780,000 in San Diego, while the Phillies will cover the remaining $20 million owed to him from his previous contract. This move comes after a series of events that led to his benching by the Phillies last season.
The decision to release Castellanos was influenced by an incident during a game against the Miami Marlins, where he was removed as a defensive replacement and subsequently made comments critical of team rules regarding dugout behavior. Manager Rob Thomson described the comments as "inappropriate," leading to Castellanos being benched. In September, Castellanos acknowledged issues with communication within the organization, later elaborating on the situation in a social media post. He explained that he had brought beer into the dugout and expressed frustration over team policies, which ultimately led to his benching.
The Phillies sought to resolve the matter before the start of full-squad workouts but failed to find a trade partner, prompting them to release Castellanos. The Padres, however, saw an opportunity to add a veteran presence to their lineup. Castellanos
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Originally published on ESPN on 2/14/2026