Tension appears to be brewing in the Philadelphia Phillies clubhouse between $100 million outfielder Nick Castellanos and manager Rob Thomson. The conflict surfaced after Castellanos was benched for Tuesday’s game against the Miami Marlins following an ‘inappropriate’ comment he made after getting lifted in the eighth inning for a defensive replacement — ending his 236-game playing streak. And reportedly, this isn’t the first time Castellanos has had a disagreement with Thomson.
According to The Athletic’s Charlotte Varnes, Castellanos has had issues with Thomson earlier this season.
“Castellanos, according to team sources, has complained about disrespect whenever he’s hitting lower in the lineup,” reports Varnes. “That was something Castellanos voiced in spring training, and he hit seventh on Opening Day. But, about a week into the season, he had reclaimed a middle-of-the-order spot. He’s hit fourth or fifth in 61 of the team’s games this season.”
Castellanos told reporters he was angry about getting pulled from the game but understood why Thomson sat him.
“I understand the decision,” Castellanos said. “It was when I got taken out. I wasn’t happy about it. I spoke my mind. (Thomson) said that I crossed a line, so my punishment is that I’m not playing.
“It’s his decision. He’s the manager.”
Castellanos said he was unhappy with being pulled from yesterday’s game, then spoke his mind. Thomson told him he’d crossed a line.
“It’s his decision. He’s the manager.”
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Defensive metrics show that Castellanos is among the worst-fielding outfielders in the game. He has minus-10 defensive runs saved and minus-seven runs above average.
Despite posting a .746 OPS and 105 OPS+, those defensive struggles have resulted in a minus-0.5 bWAR.
Castellanos is in the fourth year of a five-year, $100 million contract. Over 527 games with the Phillies, he’s slashed .265/.311/.433 with 72 home runs, a 104 OPS+ and 1.7 bWAR.