Nick Castellanos was released earlier in the week by the Philadelphia Phillies in a cost-cutting, disciplinary move signed with the San Diego Padres two days ago. This move adds another bat to an already talented Padres lineup. Castellanos was at the team’s camp and spoke to the press about his new team and teammates yesterday.
The native of South Florida was told not to report to Spring Training by Philadelphia with one-year and 20 million dollars still left on his five-year contract. Even though his production fell off hitting only .250 with 17 homeruns, 72 runs batted in and a -0.8 WAR one incident seemed to put the nail in his coffin. In a game where he was benched in Miami last season in June, Castellanos brought a beer to the dugout, “As a veteran of the game of baseball, there are rules, and I broke one in Miami,” Castellanos posted on Instagram.
“After being taken out of a close ball game in front of my friends and family, I brought a presedente [sic] into the dugout. I then sat right next to Rob and let him know that too much slack in some areas and too tight of restrictions in others are not conducive to us winning. Shoutout to my teammates and Howie [Kendrick, assistant GM, who was in the dugout] for taking the beer out of my hands before I could take a sip. (I appreciate you guys),” said Castellanos of the incident. The signing of Adolis García seemed to seal Castellanos’ fate in Philadelphia.
Expect Castellanos to be a backup outfielder and the team’s primary designated hitter. In coming to San Diego he reunites with a familiar face from his youth in Miami, Manny Machado. “I remember playing against Manny at 9 years old. Now being able to play w/ him as grown men w/ families & still pursuing a childhood dream of becoming a World Series Champion.. he hasn’t won, I haven’t won. I’m here to help him, however he needs me,” said the Cuban-American slugger about his reunion with Machado.