MLB Rumors: Nick Castellanos Still Interests Phillies After Kyle Schwarber Contract

The Philadelphia Phillies might not be done upgrading their outfield. 

A day after the team reportedly signed Kyle Schwarber to a four-year, $79 million deal, Jon Morosi of the MLB Network reported that the Phillies are still interested in free agent outfielder Nick Castellanos. 

The Miami Marlins also reportedly are targeting the slugger. 

Castellanos, 30, is one of the big free agents remaining, joining shortstops Carlos Correa and Trevor Story and outfielder Michael Conforto. 

He had a career year in 2021, hitting .309 with 34 homers, 100 RBI, 95 runs and a .939 OPS. He was excellent in 2020's pandemic-shortened season as well, hitting 14 homers in 60 games, which would translate to 37 dingers in a full 162-game season. 

And from the 2017 to 2019 seasons, he hit at least 23 homers in each campaign. So while last year he took his game to another level, he's been a consistently solid option at the plate for the past five years. 

With the Phillies, he'd likely play left field, pushing Schwarber to designated hitter. That would give the team a nasty lineup built around defending MVP Bryce Harper, first baseman Rhys Hoskins, catcher J.T. Realmuto, second baseman Jean Segura, Schwarber and Castellanos. 

Harper told reporters that he had lobbied for one of Schwarber, Castellanos or Kris Bryant (who signed with the Colorado Rockies) to address the hole in left field and was hoping the team wasn't done adding to the squad:

"I think seeing that the Braves are getting a lot better, seeing that the Mets are getting a lot better, we have to stay up on that. This clubhouse, we're here to win. I know that the fans want to build a winning team, and this organization wants to be a winning team. Being able to add somebody like that is going to help us that much more. Hopefully, we're not done and we can go out and get another guy and see where we go from there."

If that guy is Castellanos, the Phillies will scare quite a few pitching staffs.