Nick Castellanos Totally Disrespected on 'MLB's Worst Contracts' List

Following the 2021 season, the Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent outfielder Nick Castellanos to a 5-year $100 million deal. This came on the heels of an all-star season where Castellanos batted .309 with 34 home runs and 100 RBIs in his second season with the Cincinnati Reds.

Since joining the Phillies for the 2022 season, Castellanos' numbers are not quite what they were that last season for the Reds.

In two seasons, he's had 42 home runs with a bit of an uptick in strikeout rate. Even with the decrease in production with the bat, it'd be hard to label this all the way down as a bad contract, right?

Castellanos Contract is Just Right

The contract the Phillies gave to Castellanos appeared on a list of MLB's worst contracts as an honorable mention (paid subscription article). What a joke.

To me, this contract is right in the wheelhouse of nice value for both sides. Yes, 2023 saw more strikeouts from Castellanos than anyone would have liked to see. But he was still an above-average hitter at .276 with 29 home runs and 37 doubles in 2023. Not to mention, he had a couple memorable Philly moments in the playoffs.

Andrew Benintendi is a bad contract for the Chicago White Sox. Wander Franco was a VERY bad contract for the Tampa Bay Rays. To put the Castellanos deal on the same list as these and more bad contracts seems like quite the stretch to me.

He'll be a Phillie for at least two more years, barring a trade, and I don't think fans have a problem with that.

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