Reds are watching a familiar power bat hit rock bottom at the perfect time

Though the Cincinnati Reds have made several key additions this offseason, there's still a glaring hole on the roster. The Reds have yet to add that middle-of-the-order masher, but recent developments may have provided Cincinnati with the perfect opportunity to do just that.

USA Today baseball columnist Bob Nightengale recently appeared on an episode of the Foul Territory podcast and was asked about Nick Castellanos' trade market. Nightengale believes, much like the St. Louis Cardinals just did with Nolan Arenado, the Phillies are going to trade Castellanos and will have to take on the majority of his contract in order to do so.

Castellanos is owed $20 million in 2026 (the final year of a five-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Phillies after the 2021 season) and Nightengale predicts that Philadelphia will have to eat a minimum of $17 million in order to trade the former Reds slugger. At the very least, that should prompt Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall to give Phillies' executive Dave Dombrowski a phone.

Nick Castellanos could be the perfect fit for a Reds team that lacks power but is pinching pennies

The Reds' current 2026 payroll projections are approximately $3 million under their year-end number ($119 million) from last season. If Cincinnati's front office is looking for an impact bat on a budget, they're unlikely to find one much cheaper than Castellanos.

Castellanos put up underwhelming numbers in 2025 and communication issues with manager Rob Thomson has pushed the veteran outfielder onto the trade block. Castellanos hit just .250/.294/.400 last season with 17 home runs and 72 RBI, but combined to hit .263/.311/.454 with 52 homers from 2023-2024.

Given his below-average defense, it's unlikely Castellanos would find a home in the Reds' outfield heading into next season. Cincinnati has already committed to Noelvi Marte in right field and brought in JJ Bleday and Dane Myers to help improve the team's outfield defense. But if Castellanos is willing to accept a DH-only role with the Reds, this could be the type of low-risk trade that would improve the team's lineup and bring a veteran presence into the clubhouse.

The meager return the Cardinals just received for Arenado suggests that the Phillies wouldn't be expecting much more than a low-level prospect in exchange for Castellanos. If the Reds aren't going to spend big on a free agent slugger like Eugenio Suárez or Rhys Hoskins, perhaps Castellanos could provide the big-bat they need without breaking the budget.