When Nick Castellanos opted out of his contract with the Cincinnati Reds following his All-Star campaign in 2021, he left something behind. A draft pick. Before entering free agency, the Reds extended a qualifying offer to Castellanos, which he promptly rejected.
After signing a five-year, $100 million with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Reds received compensation for their loss in the form of the 32nd pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. Who did Cincinnati select with that pick? Sal Stewart.
Stewart has blossomed into the Reds top prospect heading into the 2026 season and is likely to break camp with the big-league ball club this spring. The 22-year-old made his Major League debut last September, and his unrivaled energy and advanced approach at the plate helped push Cincinnati to their first playoff appearance since 2020.
The Reds drafted Sal Stewart after losing Nick Castellanos in 2022
After being released by the Phillies on Thursday, a reunion with Castellanos has become a hot topic among many fans throughout Reds Country. Castellanos is now a free agent and the Phillies are footing the bill. That type of arrangement could be quite appealing for the cost-conscience Reds organization.
But it would seem that the Reds have little desire in bringing Castellanos back to the Queen City. “I haven’t met with our guys. I don’t know if we have a great fit for him with the guys that we have,” Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall told the media.
Krall’s correct — the Reds are not a good fit. Castellanos was a favorite among fans during his tenure in Cincinnati, but a lot has changed since he left. Some unsettling reports have emerged following his release, and his production has dropped off significantly. His defense — which was never good to begin with — has only gotten worse.
The Reds don’t really have a spot on the roster. At this stage of his career, Castellanos is little more than a designated hitter. The Reds just signed Eugenio Suárez to fill that role and are paying him $15 million to do it.
Reds fans are nothing if not nostalgic, but this reunion just doesn’t make any sense. Reports suggest several teams are already interested in signing Castellanos, but it sounds like the Reds aren’t one of them.