Apr 30, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros mascot Orbit performs while Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos (8) bats during the game at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Troy Taormina
It turns out Nick Castellanos the agent is as much of a straight shooter as Nick Castellanos the interviewee.
While Castellanos was represented by Scott Boras when he signed a five-year/$100 million deal to join the Phillies in March of 2022, he now operates as his own agent. That makes things interesting when his name comes up in trade rumors, as it has to some degree in each of the last two offseasons.
In an appearance on "The Chris Rose Rotation," Castellanos explained when it is he begins to really pay attention to a trade rumor.
"I don't take any trade rumors seriously unless it's like my name attached with another team and there's players on both sides," Castellanos revealed. "Then, I'll pay attention."
Phillies offered the Astros Nick Castellanos & Alec Bohm for Kyle Tucker. The Astros declined.
H/T: @PhilsTailgate
pic.twitter.com/eGgN4JQOzQ
— On Pattison (@OnPattison) December 13, 2024
Earlier this offseason, Jim Bowden said on MLB Network Radio that president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski offered Castellanos and Alec Bohm to the Houston Astros for Kyle Tucker. That met the criteria of a rumor that got Castellanos' attention, so he checked in with Dombrowski on whether it was valid.
"So like when this thing came up with me and Alec Bohm for [Kyle] Tucker, easy. Grab my phone, text Dave a picture of the article [and go] 'Hey, is this true?' ... 'No, it's not true.' So, now I'm left with either you can't trust the media or Dave Dombrowski is a liar. So far since I've been in Philly, Dave's been a straight shooter and any single time I've asked him a question, he's been honest. So I'm gonna go 'Can't trust the media.'"
There's multiple angles that you can come at this from. First off, while the point Castellanos is making is understood, there isn't a such thing as "the media." Bowden has a far different background from someone who went to journalism school, so to lump him in with beat writers and local media personalities doesn't really make sense. But Bowden is a former MLB general manager, who has gotten some scoops correct in the past. So it's hard to altogether discount when he says something. With that said, is there a chance there was absolutely nothing to the idea of Bohm and Castellanos for Tucker? Yes. It doesn't seem like a serious trade offer. It's also possible that some names were discussed between the two teams, including the likes of Castellanos and Bohm, but no offer was ever made because the sides realized they didn't have any traction. In that case, it wouldn't really be lying for Dombrowski to say that there was nothing to the report.
In any event, it's an interesting dynamic for Castellanos to have cut out the middle man in the agent and to just go directly to the source when he wants to know something. In most cases, it makes sense to have a buffer between team and player, which helps to avoid feelings getting hurt, among other things. But Castellanos is a very blunt person, and he says that's how he's told Dombrowski — who drafted him out of high school with the Detroit Tigers — to be with him.
"I think the one thing that I tell Dave is like 'Hey, just be honest with me. Don't beat around the bush. If you have to tell me bad news, shoot me between the eyes. Don't lead me with bread crumbs off a cliff.'"
Want more Philadelphia Phillies news delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for THE Philly Sports Newsletter here. 100% free, always.
