This has been a productive offseason for both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers, and the pair of usually low-spending teams could soon add another multi-time All-Star at a bargain rate.
In most years, the offseason can be an underwhelming time for Pirates fans. The franchise is considered a small-market club because its owner, Bob Nutting, has shown he would rather accept revenue-sharing income rather than spend to improve his team. However, this offseason has seen a big departure from the norm.
In an attempt to maximize the immense talents of their ace, Paul Skenes, while they can still afford him, Pittsburgh traded for All-Star Brandon Lowe and intriguing prospect Jhostynxon García. They also signed veteran sluggers Marcel Ozuna and Ryan O’Hearn.
The Tigers are in a similar situation where they want to make the most of what will probably be AL Cy Young Tarik Skubal’s final year in Detroit before he leaves in free agency. That is why they made some interesting moves this month when they added to the rotation by signing two-time All-Star Framber Valdez and reunited with club legend Justin Verlander.
Nick Castellanos stats: .250 AVG, .294 OBP, .400 SLG, .694 OPS, 17 HR, 72 RBI, 72 RBI
However, the door has opened for either to add another multi-time All-Star ahead of the 2026 MLB season. This week, Philadelphia Phillies President Dave Dombrowski confirmed two-time All-Star Nick Castellanos’ tenure with the team will end within the week. Be it in a trade or after releasing him.
If the Pirates or Tigers are willing to be patient, there is a real chance Philly will eat the $20 million left on his deal and cut him. Which means they could get him at a very affordable rate. While Castellanos’ defense in right is not great, he is a proven bat who has hit 20 or more homers six times in his career, including 34 in 2021.
For a low cost, it would be worth it for either team to take a flier on Castellanos if he is cut by the Phillies in the coming days.
