The Phillies are interested in Nick Castellanos even after signing Kyle Schwarber. While their lineup would be a behemoth, is it worth the defensive liability?
Positional flexibility isn’t always a good thing, especially if said player is among the worst defensive players at all positions. Such is the case with Nick Castellanos, who is best employed as a designated hitter, or corner outfielder if he truly must play the field.
However, given the emergence of a permanent DH spot in both leagues, Castellanos should have plenty of suitors for his hitting alone. The only problem with the Phillies as a potential landing spot? They already have Kyle Schwarber, who is very much of the same mold.
Jayson Stark laid out the pros and cons of having both Schwarber and Castellanos in the same lineup.
#Phillies in serious pursuit of Nick Castellanos, sources tell @TheAthleticMLB
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) March 18, 2022
Castellanos would put Phillies well over tax threshold. But they appear to view him as a big enough difference maker to justify that
Castellanos could push Kyle Schwarber to DH@jonmorosi was on it
Such a team would be incredibly home run-heavy, especially when considering the power threats the Phillies already boast with Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins.
Cons of signing Nick Castellanos: Defensive flexibility
Stark also laid out the kind of defensive flexibility which would be necessary for the Phillies to make a Castellanos signing work long-term.
Signing Castellanos would create more defensive issues for #Phillies. But they're too far down that rabbit hole already
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) March 18, 2022
This would give Joe Girardi these options:
Castellanos at DH/LF/RF/3B
Schwarber at LF/DH
Hoskins at 1B/DH
Bohm at 3B/1B/DH
Castellanos to RF when Harper DHs
Let’s just say Joe Girardi would earn his managerial check.
Schwarber and Castellanos are sub-par defensive players. When the Phillies signed Schwarber with the idea of him being a long-term designated hitter, it made sense. But only one player can be slotted into that position. Playing Schwarber at an outfield spot occasionally to give other players a day off could be worked in, as well.
But when Castellanos — another sub-par defensive player who would work better as a long-term DH — is added to the equation, it could cost the Phillies defensively over the course of a season.
As Stark notes, the Phillies ‘are too far down that rabbit hole,’ and would surely accept the defensive woes that come from having Castellanos and Schwarber in the same lineup, if only because they believe the power output makes up for it long-term.