The Philadelphia Phillies lost another potential trade partner for Nick Castellanos after free agent outfielder Austin Hays signed with the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. Hays was traded from the Baltimore Orioles to Philadelphia at the 2024 trade deadline for outfield depth and now finds himself inadvertently getting in the way of a potential Castellanos deal.
News: The White Sox are in agreement with free agent OF Austin Hays, sources tell ESPN. Hays, 30, hit 15 home runs in 103 games for Cincinnati last year. The Sox were looking for a veteran OF and Hays fits the bill.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) January 31, 2026
Issues have lingered between the Phillies and Castellanos dating back a few years. They're still searching for a team willing to take Castellanos off their hands, but Hays signing with the White Sox likely takes Chicago out of the running.
White Sox’s Austin Hays signing takes one potential Nick Castellanos suitor off the Phillies’ board
Hays was with the Phillies after he was traded from the Orioles at the 2024 trade deadline and only played 22 games in Philadelphia thanks to a hamstring injury and kidney infection. He hit .256 with a .672 OPS. He bounced back in 2025 with a .768 OPS in 103 games with the Cincinnati Reds.
The White Sox seemed like one of the viable options for a Castellanos trade based on their willingness to take on talent and payroll. It would be low risk for them while also helping out the Phillies in offloading some money. Castellanos is under contract for just 2026, with $20 million remaining, although Philadelphia will likely wind up footing most of that bill even with a trade.
Castellanos has had a troubled relationship from the beginning of his five-year contract, which he signed before the 2022 season. He's had moments of excitement, matched with raw confidence, but has also fallen victim to his swing-and-miss approach at the plate. His lack of range in the outfield has only compounded the harsh feelings that Phillies fans have developed as his production dropped off. His 2025 season showed that with a .250/.294/.400 slash line. Among all qualified outfielders, in 2025, Castellanos' .694 OPS ranked 36th of 41.
This offseason seemed like it could finally be the one that sees a deal get done. There have been rumors circulating for years now, but this is the Phillies last chance to strike. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski stressed that their plan was to move on from Castellanos before spring training starts. The Phillies still have options on the table, but their backs are against the wall with only days left to get it done.