Sep 7, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos (8) returns to the dugout against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Sam Navarro
PHILADELPHIA — Nick Castellanos was non-committal about his future with the Phillies when asked last week after the club was eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.
It would be fair to say that president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was as well Thursday, despite Castellanos being owed $20 million in 2026, the final season of a five-year/$100 million contract.
In his year-end press conference Thursday at Citizens Bank Park, Dombrowski was asked whether Castellanos can continue as a Phillie in 2026, despite airing frustration with his role and manager Rob Thomson publicly during the 2025 season.
"Well, we'll see what happens," Dombrowski said. "I don't know. I'm not going to get into specific players that are on our roster under contract. But, the things that you talked about are accurate. But, we'll see what happens."
When asked by @TimKellySports about Nick Castellanos’ future with the Phillies, Dave Dombrowski was noncommittal.
(via @GraceDelPizzo) pic.twitter.com/0PMieK6NMq
— On Pattison (@OnPattison) October 16, 2025
If you need the sparknotes version of Castellanos' 2025 season, here you go:
Nick Castellanos was asked if he understands why he hasn’t played as often.
“I don’t really talk to Rob all that often … Communication over the years has been questionable, at least in my experience.”
(via @GraceDelPizzo) pic.twitter.com/ucqEiWadSL
— On Pattison (@OnPattison) September 20, 2025
To be fair to Castellanos, he played through left knee discomfort from late-July on, and when asked whether he wants to return to the Phillies if it were in a non-everyday role like he had after the trade deadline, he pointed to that as his first priority this offseason.
"I think that right now, where I'm at is, I'm going to get some imaging on my knee, rest, then clean that up and see where we're at and then just go from there," Castellanos said last Thursday. "So, first things first."
Notice how the answer from Castellanos — who serves as his own agent — didn't include him saying he expects to be back with the Phillies for the final year of his contract. Neither did Dombrowski's.
Later on in Thursday's press conference, Dombrowski was asked to elaborate on some of the public discontent that Castellanos shared during the 2025 season.
"Well, usually my take on those things are behind closed doors, really is what it comes down to," Dombrowski said.
"This is by no means the first incident I've ever had with players like this," Dombrowski continued. "Usually you have almost one every year, and sometimes more than that. It usually doesn't come quite as publicly as that. But I, usually in my situation, settle it behind the scenes, when I get involved. And I think that's the most appropriate fashion for me to handle that."
So did Dombrowski get involved at any point this season?
"Yes," Dombrowski said.
Meanwhile, Rob Thomson said Thursday he's moved beyond any in-season disagreements when asked about his relationship with Castellanos.
"My perspective, it's good," Thomson said. "I mean, I never hold any grudges, or if I have a problem with a player or another coach, it doesn't linger. I'm always a guy that's gonna turn the page on that type of thing."
The overwhelming feeling you left Thursday with, though, is that the Phillies and Castellanos are probably going to turn the page on their relationship. They held it together through some turbulence during 2025, but the answers from both Castellanos and Dombrowski lead you to believe that there will be a trade worked out that will allow the two-time All-Star to continue his career elsewhere, while the Phillies move on. The guess here is that will involve the Phillies eating well over 50% of the money Castellanos is set to make in 2026, and taking back almost no return.
