PEORIA, AZ — Nick Castellanos spoke calmly, evenly, almost emotionless Sunday after signing with the San Diego Padres, says there are no hard feelings for the way his tenure ended with the Philadelphia Phillies.
He also has no regrets.
Castellanos, released by the Phillies after attempting to trade him all winter, apologized in an open letter to Phillies’ fans for bringing a beer into the dugout during a game against the Miami Marlins in June after being pulled from a game.
"What I will learn from this is just letting my emotions get the best of me in a moment," Castellanos said. “Possibly if I see things that frustrate me, or I don’t believe are conducive to winning, to speaking up when I see it instead of letting things just pile up over time. Then, finally when I address it, it’s less emotional."
Yet, he has no remorse over publicly venting his frustrations.
“In the moment, I felt how I felt and I spoke from the heart," Castellanos said, “and I was honest in every word that I said. You know, it’s not like I was outwardly ever displaying that, like I kept it all inside. But when I was asked a question [by Phillies’ beat reporters in September], I shot straight.
“And then people perceived it how they wanted to."
When asked if he wished things had ended differently in Philadelphia, he shook his head, citing only the failure to win a World Series championship.
“I mean, I think winning solves everything," Castellanos said. “So, I think the one thing that I wish would have ended up different that we would have won."
Castellanos, 33, who was in the final year of a five-year, $100 million contract, was labeled as a malcontent, with several teammates privately calling him selfish in a report by The Athletic. When he openly criticized Phillies manager Rob Thomson for his lack of communication, the Phillies decided they didn’t want him back, and told every team that he was available.
A.J. Preller, Padres president of baseball operations, said he spoke frequently with Phillies president Dave Dombrowski about acquiring Castellanos beginning last November, while knowing that he likely would be released if he wasn’t traded. They stayed patient, and pounced Thursday when he was released.
The Padres immediately set up a Zoom call with Castellanos. Preller, GM Josh Stein and rookie manager Craig Stammen spoke to him, and determined that whatever problems he might have had in Philadelphia, he’d be just fine in the San Diego clubhouse.
“We did a lot of homework," Preller said. “We were just trying to get a grasp of exactly what happened. So we talked to a ton of people that have history with Nick, teammates, coaches, people have been around him. ... It was more about the clubhouse dynamic, getting information about work ethic and the love of the game and what kind of teammate he is."
Preller admits he was originally unaware of the beer incident. So, yes, they talked about that, too
“Obviously, everyone’s got their side of the story," Preller said, “but I think for us it was most important about getting face-to-face with him, hearing his thoughts."
Castellanos’ explanation was convincing enough for the Padres to go ahead and sign him.
“You know, I’ve made many mistakes on this job," Preller said, “and ultimately when people own up to those mistakes – and he did that in our call – it’s about giving guys another opportunity. He gets a fresh start here and a fresh opportunity."
Said Stammen: “You know, we just laid out expectations. He wants the truth. He wants to be direct. He's a direct person. And I think the more that I can be that way for him, and the Padres can support him in that manner, the better off we’ll be."
Preller convened with Padres chairman John Seidler and president Eric Gruepner, while also getting the blessing from several of their veterans – including third baseman Manny Machado – before offering Castellanos a job. Machado, a childhood friend of Castellanos growing up in Miami, immediately gave his blessing.
“I really don't know the details of what happened over there," Machado said. “Don't really care. Honestly, I'm just happy we got him for what we got him for, and he's going to improve our team tremendously. That's all that we care about, you know.
“At the end of the day, we want him to come out here and ball out. I know that he's a baller. He can play the outfield, play a little bit at first base. He can hit with the best of us in the big leagues. So, you know, to have him in our lineup is going to be huge. …
“I got my guy here with me, and it’s going to be a fun year playing together."
Castellanos, who has hit 250 homers with 920 RBIs and a .785 OPS in his 14-year career, says he’s looking forward to proving that he still is an everyday player. He has been to the postseason five times in the last six years, but has never won a World Series, believing that winning a title with Machado would be the ultimate dream.
And while Castellanos says San Diego is a perfect fit and is his son’s favorite city, he brought up the Padres’ close-knit relationship with players, believing that his deteriorating relationship with Thompson or coaches wouldn’t happen in San Diego.
“How they treat their players," Castellanos said, “and how they have their backs. Even if you know something goes a little awry, they still stand with them. They don’t deviate from their commitment to him as a person. So all those things come into account."
The way the Padres figure it, they’re adding a two-time All-Star who still hit 17 homers and drove in 72 runs, for virtually nothing. They are paying Castellanos just the $780,000 minimum salary with the Phillies picking up the remainder of his $20 million contract. (“I mean, talk about getting a $20 million player for pennies on the dollar," Machado said).
So, if Castellanos doesn’t perform well, turns out not to be a fit in the clubhouse, the Padres could easily dump him. No harm, no foul, and no risk.
“They’re giving me an opportunity, that’s all I can ask for," Castellanos said, “to be able to come here, be myself, work hard, make a club, earn my playing time, and just help really in any that I can ….
“I think this is a very talented team. There’s a lot of veterans here. And the city of San Diego has never won a World Series. So however I can contribute to that and help this team accomplish that goal, I’m more than willing to do so."
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nick Castellanos Padres contract is fresh start after ugly Phillies divorce
