CLEARWATER, Fla. — A few days after reaching an agreement with Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies are considering a free-agent slugger double-down with Nick Castellanos.
The Phillies were in talks Friday to sign Castellanos, a major league source indicated, confirming an MLB Network report. The move would represent a marked change in approach. In addition to pushing the payroll past the luxury-tax threshold for the first time in club history, it would mean the forfeiture of a second-round draft pick. Both are lines management has been reluctant to cross.
But the Phillies also haven’t made the playoffs since 2011. And with the rival New York Mets tapping into owner Steve Cohen’s riches in an attempt to take back the National League East and Castellanos’ options unclear three weeks before opening day, Phillies ownership, led by John Middleton, may believe the time has come to splurge.
