The San Diego Padres have designated first baseman/outfielder Nick Castellanos for assignment, filling his spot on the active and 40-man rosters with infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor.
Castellanos, 34, has previously been a prominent offensive player. The Philadelphia Phillies signed him to a five-year, $100 million contract prior to the 2022 season. However, after struggling in the 2025 season with a .250 batting average and a wRC+ of 90, he became less effective defensively and had conflicts with then-manager Rob Thomson.
Despite being under contract through 2026 at a salary of $20 million, the Phillies sought to move on from Castellanos and ultimately released him in February. Any team that signed him would only owe the prorated league minimum, which would be deducted from what the Phillies paid.
The Padres signed Castellanos soon after his release, but his performance was disappointing. This season, he posted a .191/.221/.339 line over 122 plate appearances. His numbers, including a .228 batting average on balls in play, along with a 4.1% walk rate and a 27.9% strikeout rate, were below average compared to his career averages.
During a recent series at Citizens Bank Park, Castellanos did not play. Following that series, the Padres decided to move forward without him, and he may be released again shortly.
In contrast, Taylor has shown promise in the minors, hitting .319/.406/.500 in Triple-A this season with a 122 wRC+. He has recorded a solid 11.7% walk rate and a 17.6% strikeout rate. Although he has struggled in limited appearances in the big leagues, he has demonstrated speed on the bases, with nine steals this year.
With Jake Cronenworth currently on the injured list, the Padres have utilized Sung-Mun Song and Fernando Tatis Jr. at second base. Taylor could help fill this gap and may find ways to contribute even with limited opportunities. If necessary, adjustments may be made when Cronenworth and Ramón Laureano return from injury.
Despite potential challenges, Taylor offers versatility in the field, having played multiple positions in the past.
Source: www.mlbtraderumors.com via Google News.
