Castellanos embraces the Padres for a fresh start; may shift to first base this season

Just hours prior to the Padres’ inaugural full-team spring training today, Nick Castellanos was already present at the Peoria Sports Complex’s secondary field. His arrival was recent, and the signing had not been formally confirmed yet.

Beside Castellanos stood Nick Punto and Ryan Goins, who serve as infield instructors for the team. He spent several minutes doing light drills at first base—a position he has never played in the major leagues before.

Indeed, today marks a completely new chapter in Castellanos’ career. After the chaotic and public episode with the Phillies last week, he is determined to seize the Padres’ offer of a “fresh start,” even if it means playing a different role.

“I’m totally fine with it,” Castellanos said. “A fresh start, a new team. The Padres are a very talented group with many veterans. Plus, San Diego has never won a World Series. I’m more than willing to contribute and help the team achieve that goal.”

Padres GM A.J. Preller later revealed that he spent considerable time during the offseason negotiating a trade for Castellanos with the Phillies. However, both sides couldn’t reach an agreement. Eventually, with no trade partner, the Phillies released him.

Three days later, Castellanos appeared at the Padres’ spring training facility. Meanwhile, details about the clubhouse friction in Philadelphia surfaced, including an incident last June in Miami when Castellanos lost his temper after being pulled from a game, briefly bringing a beer can into the clubhouse.

Castellanos issued a public apology on Instagram regarding the incident, stating he would learn from the experience.

“When I said I’d learn from it, I meant I let my emotions get the best of me at that moment,” Castellanos explained. “If I see something frustrating or detrimental to winning, I should address it immediately rather than bottling it up.”

It seemed that just signing him wasn’t enough to make the point; the Padres quickly made it clear they were ready to move past everything that happened in Philadelphia.

“We all see him as a new person,” said center fielder Jackson Merrill. “That’s Philly’s business; we’re the San Diego Padres.”

“He’s starting fresh here,” Preller said. “A brand-new opportunity.”

His role is expected to be different. Over 11 full seasons, Castellanos had 10 seasons with more than 550 plate appearances. In the past eight years, he mainly played right field, but with the Padres, things will change.

Castellanos might occasionally get playing time in the corner outfield spots, but his main opportunities will come as a designated hitter and/or at first base. Ultimately, his playing time will depend on his performance.

“We want him to hit so well that we have no choice but to put him in the lineup,” manager Craig Stammen said. “That’s the ultimate goal. We want to create the right conditions for him to achieve that.”

“But he also understands he’s at a different stage in his career and might be asked to be a platoon player, coming off the bench. He wants to earn every plate appearance with his performance. There’s a fire in his eyes, like he’s saying, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll earn it.’”

If Castellanos can seize the opportunity and regain the form that made him an All-Star in 2023, the Padres will have found a gem. Or as Manny Machado put it: “A $20 million player for just a few pennies.”

Indeed, Castellanos will earn $20 million this season, the final year of his Phillies contract. The Padres only need to pay the league minimum of $780,000.

“That,” Machado added, “is enough to give A.J. a contract extension.”

Machado was merely reiterating his hope to see Preller get a new deal, as Preller also enters the last year of his contract. When asked about Machado’s lobbying, Preller laughed, “You hear that kind of stuff when you sign a $300 million contract.”

Regardless, Machado has every reason to be excited about Castellanos joining the team.

“We’ve known each other a long time, grew up in Miami, played ball together since we were kids,” Machado said. “Being teammates here is fantastic. It all started in Miami, Florida, when we were kids, and now we’re here, living every kid’s dream, playing in the major leagues.”

That’s why this change of scenery could benefit Castellanos—starting fresh in a clubhouse ready to welcome him, on a team that truly needs his bat.

“They gave me the chance,” Castellanos said. “I couldn’t ask for more. To come here, be myself, work hard, make the roster, earn playing time, and contribute as much as I can.”