With Phillies rumored to be shopping this star player, Reds should consider a reunion

Is Nick Castellanos really on the chopping block? MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is reporting that, according to a source, the Philadelphia Phillies are open to the idea of trading Castellanos this offseason.

Fans of the Cincinnati Reds will fondly remember Castellanos' time in the Queen City from 2020-2021. Castellanos had signed a four-year agreement with the Reds prior to the 2020 season, but opted out of the deal after his All-Star campaign the following year.

After exercising his opt-out, Castellanos inked a five-year/$100-million contract with Phillies, but it would appear as though the relationship has soured a bit.

Would the Reds entertain a reunion with Phillies star Nick Castellanos?

Several Reds fans have sounded off this offseason about Cincinnati's need for a right-handed power-bat. Nick Castellanos is certainly that. While the outfielder has a lot of swing and miss in his game, Castellanos did record 29 home runs in 2023.

Castellanos is a streaky hitter, as evidence by his red-hot start to open the NLCS followed by a horrific stretch over the final five games of the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

According to Baseball Savant, Castellanos coupled a 41.0-percent chase-rate with a 35.4-percent whiff-rate. Both rate among the bottom five percentile. Castellanos also posted a 27.6-percent strikeout-rate.

Castellanos, 32, will be owed $60-million over the remainder of his contract covering the 2024, 2025, and 2026 seasons. As far as payroll goes, with only Luke Maile and Hunter Greene under contract for next season, the Reds have plenty of flexibility to take on Castellanos' contract.

The question, of course, would be fit. If the Cincinnati Reds were to reunite with Nick Castellanos, it would not be to platoon with one of the left-handed hitting duo of Will Benson or Jake Fraley. If the Reds bring Castellanos back to Cincinnati, the roster will undergo some sort of change.

With two average seasons and a $60-million commitment, the Philadelphia Phillies cannot expect much of a return if they decide to trade Castellanos, but the Reds would undoubtedly have to give up some minor league prospects.

The idea seems a bit far-fetched, but not impossible. While pitching is the bigger need this offseason, adding a player like Castellanos, who's attitude is fierce and contagious, could help to galvanize the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse.