The Philadelphia Phillies are in on free agent outfielder Nick Castellanos, and this might be the right opportunity for them to spend big and build a winning ballclub for 2022.
The free agent slugger is a hot commodity following a season in which he batted .309 and went deep 34 times.
Jim Salisbury of NBCS Philadelphia reports that Phillies owner John Middleton has been consistent in his tone about the team and how it plans to spend, saying that he plans to go over the luxury tax threshold if the right opportunity arose.
Salisbury states that this could be Philadelphia’s opportunity to go over the tax threshold and sign one of the premier free agents still out on the market.
Confirming @jaysonst report. Phillies are on Nick Castellanos. Phillies owner John Middleton has consistently said team would go over tax for right opportunity. This might be it. Stay tuned
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) March 18, 2022
Will The Phillies Sign Castellanos?
This is something that the Players Association hoped to accomplish with the new CBA, getting teams to spend money and try to win.
With some teams, that obviously hasn’t worked, but the Phils’ intentions are clear.
They want to win.
They want to compete with the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets.
Philadelphia has not been to the postseason in 10 years, with their last appearance being in 2011, when the St. Louis Cardinals knocked them out in the NLDS on their way to their improbable championship run.
This could be the Phillies chance to right the ship and bring excitement to a fanbase that hasn’t had much to cheer for since then.
This would be a fun team to watch if they bring Castellanos on board, as they would have a lineup featuring Bryce Harper, Castellanos, J.T. Realmuto, and Rhys Hoskins.
The NL East would then be a three-team race, with Philadelphia being a strong contender for a division title.
NEXT: Phillies Reportedly Eyeing Nick Castellanos In Free Agency