Kyle Schwarber: A
Finally, the good stuff.
Fans were concerned when the big names started coming off the board after the free-agency restarted earlier this month, as none of those big names were heading to the City of Brotherly Love. Finally, towards the end of last week, the Phillies and Kyle Schwarber finally came to agreement on the deal that had been brewing before the lockout.
Bryce Harper is thrilled and Shane Victorino gave his endorsement, what more could you want?
In Schwarber, the Phillies get a down-to-earth, humble guy who just absolutely loves to destroy baseballs. He’s also got extensive postseason experience with the Cubs and Red Sox, and has only missed the postseason once in his career. He’s a heck of a way to kick off a new era of designated hitters in the National League.
Nick Castellanos: A-
The Phillies shocked the baseball world when they hit the luxury tax threshold and kept spending. For the first time since the CBT’s implementation in 1997, the Phillies are overspending, and it’s a welcome change, especially because of who they’re spending on.
Nick Castellanos was Dombrowski’s first-round draft pick when he was Detroit Tigers GM years ago, and rumors swirled before the lockout that the longtime exec was interested in a reunion. Dombrowski has made it a habit to bring talented players with him from club to club: JD Martinez, David Price, and Rick Porcello were all former Tigers whom the exec brought to Boston to build his 2018 championship team.
In Castellanos, the Phillies get a superbly talented hitter to add to their growing collection of power bats. Between Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, Rhys Hoskins, Jean Segura, Schwarber, and now Castellanos, the Phillies lineup projects to be one of the most fearsome in the game.
The only reason the Castellanos signing gets an A- instead of an A is that his defense is, pun intended, hard to defend.
Nick Castellanos quietly broke the news of his Phillies signing
Free-agent slugger Nick Castellanos took matters into his own hands and announced he'd be with the Philadelphia Phillies with a subtle Instagram photo.