Nick Castellanos has expressed clear frustration with the Phillies’ management, specifically targeting manager Rob Thomson and hitting coach Kevin Long. He voiced his concerns to teammates, indicating that he found it hard to trust them because neither had played at the major league level, as reported by The Athletic.
This week, Philadelphia decided to release Castellanos, leaving one year and $20 million remaining on his five-year, $100 million contract.
Joining the Phillies ahead of the 2022 season, Castellanos struggled to find his place within the powerhouse team in the National League East over his tumultuous four years.
The tension between Castellanos and the coaching staff was significant, contributing to his early exit despite the team’s potential to contend.
While it’s not unusual for managers and hitting coaches to have less impressive playing careers than their athletes, most players don’t seem to mind this as much. Thomson had a modest career in the Tigers’ system and never progressed beyond Single-A, while Long had a stint at Triple-A.
Despite lacking major league experience, Thomson has been recognized for his player management skills, and Long is widely regarded as one of the top hitting coaches.
The Athletic highlighted that several Phillies players privately took issue with Thomson’s game strategies, but generally withheld their concerns from the public eye.
In September, Castellanos reflected on his preferences, stating that he only valued input from those who had experienced the same challenges he faced. “The only opinions I honestly care about are the opinions of people with sticks,” he said, referencing his time on the field with other players.
His relationship with Thomson, however, soured considerably. One particularly noteworthy episode involved Castellanos bringing beer into the dugout after being substituted out during a game, admitting this in a letter on Instagram where he confronted Thomson and his coaching staff in front of colleagues.
He also revealed dissatisfaction with his position in the batting lineup, notably his placement in the No. 7 spot during the 2024 and 2025 Opening Days. “You can’t disrespect a coach or talk like him,” he remarked, acknowledging the challenges their partnership faced.
Following his release, the Phillies now have the opportunity to pursue a veteran outfielder, as Castellanos recorded an OPS of .694 last year.
In the lead-up to his release, reports indicated that the Yankees had some discussions about a potential trade, though the outcome was uncertain.
