Phillies trade outlook for Nick Castellanos gets big update thanks to Nolan Arenado deal

The Philadelphia Phillies have been active this offseason, re-signing Kyle Schwarber to a $150 million deal, adding Adolis Garcia for $10 million, and Brad Keller for $22 million.

Those signings have taken a toll on the payroll, leaving the Phillies with limited space to work with. Amid their interest in Bo Bichette, they will need to find a way to make some money, and Nick Castellanos is the best bet to trade away.

But with little interest in Castellanos, it's going to be tough to find a trade. However, thanks to the St. Louis Cardinals trading Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Phillies now have a trade to base their negotiations on.

Phillies have a trade example to follow with Castellanos talks

According to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks are taking on just $11 million of Arenado's remaining $42 million contract over the next two seasons.

While St. Louis is eating $31 million of Arenado's deal, a significant amount, they are still saving $11 million, which is a significant amount, roughly 73% of his remaining money. They also got a prospect, albeit not the best one, in return for this trade.

This trade between the Cardinals and Diamondbacks is one to follow for the Phillies. They were able to trade their aging, regressing third baseman to a new team. While they aren't saving all of the money, they're saving enough.

If the Phillies deal Castellanos with similar parameters, taking on 73% of his remaining contract while adding a prospect who's not a top one by any means, then the Phillies would take on $14.6 million, saving $5.4 million.

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That $5.4 million would be a significant amount for the Phillies, who are hovering right around the luxury tax threshold.

Alec Bohm is likely to be traded if they sign Bichette, which could save $10.2 million. But if the Phillies could save some money, even if it's only $5.4 million, from trading Castellanos, it would be a win for the Phillies.

The Phillies have been trying to trade Castellanos all offseason and haven't found any takers. But now, thanks to this Arenado deal, they have a similar trade to base their Castellanos talks on.

A team still needs to show interest in Castellanos and his $20 million 2026 contract, but if they find a taker, they have a deal to mirror thanks to the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, and Arenado.

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