Phillies Stun Baseball World, Sign Another Star In Nick Castellanos

PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a stunning move, the Phillies have blown past the much-vaunted luxury tax to sign another huge bat in All Star Nick Castellanos, according to reports. It's their second huge addition of the week after they signed Kyle Schwarber to a four-year, $79 million deal on Wednesday.

The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Audacy’s Jon Heyman reports that it is a five year deal worth $100 million.

The move puts the Phillies well past the new $230 million luxury tax threshold, which owner John Middleton has long intimated he was willing to exceed if he believed the team was close to competing for a World Series title.

>>Phillies To Sign Star Slugger Kyle Schwarber: Reports

Castellanos, a corner outfielder, profiles as a very similar player to the Phillies most recent addition, Schwarber. He's a bat-first power hitter that followed up on several years of strong production with a transcendent 2021. In 138 games for the Cincinnati Reds last year, he hit .309 with a .939 OPS and 34 home runs.

With Schwarber and Castellanos in the fold, the Phillies suddenly have arguably the most potent offense in the National League. The pair will slide into the lineup's solidified top five slots that will include some combination of Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Rhys Hoskins.

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