How the Phillies’ $100 million marriage with Nick Castellanos ended in divorce

The beginning of the end for Nick Castellanos’ time in Philadelphia came on the night when the $100 million outfielder cracked open a Presidente beer and carried the green bottle into the Phillies dugout in the middle of a game. It was a Monday in June, in the eighth inning, and Castellanos believed he had been disrespected at the highest level.

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Removed for defensive purposes in a game against the Miami Marlins, played in his hometown with family and friends in the seats, Castellanos directed his ire at Phillies coaches. The beer served as a prop. If not in the game, Castellanos was on vacation. He yelled at the coaches and manager Rob Thomson while teammates watched.

Two players who were not on the field at that time, Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, intervened. They tried to usher Castellanos out of sight before cameras could capture a player drinking a beer in an active dugout. Howie Kendrick, the former longtime big leaguer and now a Phillies special assistant, attempted to be a peacemaker by snatching the beer. They urged the right fielder to cool down and discuss the issue after the game ended. It was only a two-run game, and the Phillies, who were still in the contest, had to secure a victory. Castellanos ranted more to Thomson before disappearing into the clubhouse.

The unprofessional outburst hung in the dugout air as the Phillies finished a win without Castellanos.

Even before that June 16 incident, many teammates had come to resent Castellanos for his attitude. When the Phillies ate $20 million on Thursday and released Castellanos, a two-time All-Star with 250 career home runs, it was an admission that the relationship was irrevocably broken. Castellanos, who turns 34 in March, was not a productive player in 2025. His .694 OPS ranked 123rd among 145 qualified hitters and his minus-0.6 fWAR was 145th. The Phillies tried for months to trade him but were unable to find a taker.

It was a transaction that reflected a complicated relationship that unraveled over four seasons. The Athletic reported this story based on conversations with more than a dozen Phillies players, staff members and official