The Philadelphia Phillies have been extremely active during the offseason, making several significant roster decisions aimed at maintaining their status as a contender. One of their most notable moves was re-signing power-hitting outfielder Kyle Schwarber to a massive five-year, $150 million contract after he delivered a career-defining season in which he smashed 56 home runs. Schwarber’s return signaled the organization’s commitment to keeping its offensive core intact. In addition to Schwarber, the Phillies also ensured stability behind the plate by re-signing veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million deal, keeping one of the league’s most reliable catchers in Philadelphia.
Beyond retaining key contributors, the Phillies have also added several new faces to their roster this winter. Their offseason acquisitions include pitchers Brad Keller, Jonathan Bowlan, Kyle Backhus, and Zack Pop, along with outfielder Adolis GarcÃa. These moves were intended to improve depth across the roster, particularly in the pitching staff. However, the offseason has not been without its disappointments. The Phillies suffered a major loss when All-Star starting pitcher Ranger Suárez departed in free agency to sign with the Boston Red Sox. They were also unable to land one of their top free-agent targets, shortstop Bo Bichette, who ultimately chose to sign with the New York Mets.
With these changes already in place, Philadelphia’s roster looks noticeably different, but the team may not be finished making moves. As February approaches, trade rumors continue to swirl around one of the Phillies’ highest-paid players, outfielder Nick Castellanos. His name has frequently appeared in speculation, and one recent prediction suggests he could be moved to an unexpected team from the National League Central.
According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, the Phillies are projected to trade Castellanos to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a bold offseason deal. Rogers suggested that Philadelphia could facilitate the trade by retaining a significant portion of Castellanos’ remaining salary, potentially covering $15 million of the $20 million he is owed for the 2026 season. This financial flexibility could make the deal more attractive to Pittsburgh.
Rogers explained that the Pirates are still in need of offensive help, while Castellanos is clearly searching for a fresh start. He proposed an in-state trade scenario in which the Phillies absorb most of the contract, allowing the Pirates to acquire Castellanos without sending any players back in return. The idea is that Castellanos could thrive at PNC Park and silence critics who doubt his ability to rebound.
From the Pirates’ perspective, taking a chance on Castellanos could make sense. Pittsburgh has been looking to add a proven bat, and Castellanos, a two-time All-Star, has demonstrated in the past that he can be a reliable offensive force. At 33 years old, he is still capable of contributing at the plate when playing at a high level, which could help a Pirates team aiming to improve its competitiveness in the 2026 season.
Another factor working in Pittsburgh’s favor is the low risk involved. Castellanos is entering the final year of his five-year, $100 million contract, meaning the Pirates would not be committing to him long-term. This makes him an appealing buy-low option, especially considering that the Phillies appear motivated to move on.
Given that Castellanos is coming off a season that fell below his usual standards, this could be an ideal opportunity for Pittsburgh to take a calculated gamble. Acquiring him would likely require minimal assets, and if he were to rediscover his form, he could become a valuable addition to the lineup. Castellanos has recorded at least 23 home runs in six different seasons, most recently in 2024 with the Phillies. Just one year earlier, in 2023, he earned an All-Star selection after posting 29 home runs, 106 RBIs, and a .272 batting average.
Because of his track record and veteran presence, Castellanos represents an intriguing bounce-back candidate. Whether the Pirates decide to pursue this opportunity remains to be seen, but the potential upside makes the scenario one worth watching closely.
