Phillies $100M Star Expresses Clear Discontent as Rob Thomson Leaves No Stones Unturned to Ensure His Exit

The Phillies $100 million star’s deal was once identified as a cornerstone move for the team; however, his situation has now soured into discontent. For a star who has led all MLB outfielders in starts since 2017, being placed in a part-time position has been a bitter pill to swallow. Rob Thomson’s willingness to bench the star against most right-handers has created speculation that the team is preparing for life without him.

The data tell a blunt story. Last month, Nick Castellanos batted just .180 with two doubles, two homers, and a .590 OPS, and the star’s weakest healthy month since the rookie season in 2014. At the same time, trade-deadline deals with Harrison Bader and veteran Max Kepler have provided steadier bats and elite defense. Such a combination has pushed Thomson to minimize Nick Castellanos’ role, sending a message that Nick Castellanos’ availability is no longer indispensable despite his hefty price tag.

Now, the situation is tilting further toward an eventual split. The team, which shopped outfielder Nick Castellanos last season, will be much more aggressive trying to move the star this season, eating a vital portion of Castellanos’ remaining $20 million salary. Such a willingness to cut financial losses highlights how far Castellanos’ standing has fallen. For someone who started all 162 games just last season—a first for the team since Jimmy Rollins in 2007—the prospect of being offloaded is a staggering reversal of fortune.

Adding to the drama, tensions between Rob Thomson and Castellanos have lingered throughout the season. Only a couple of months ago, Castellanos was benched after an “inappropriate comment” in June. More recently, the star was pulled for Harrison Bader in the ninth inning of a tight game against the Braves—after making an elite throw to cut down Matt Olson at home plate, too. The manager highlighted the switch as a defensive decision; however, Castellanos said that it was a “big adjustment” and noted there was “no conversation” related to it. Such moments highlight Rob Thomson’s determination to leave no stone unturned in asserting his authority and reshaping the team’s outfield.

Nick Castellanos has not hidden his feelings. “I hate not being able to play as much as I want to play,” Castellanos said from the dugout. “But I can still be happy for these guys for being able to have success of their own. At the end of the day, it’s a team goal, which is to win. Right? Philly would much rather us win a World Series than all of us have good individual years.” The statement highlights maturity; however, also clear frustration at being sidelined. 

The concern now is whether he can recover his form or if the management’s tough-love approach is effectively preparing him for his road forward. With upcoming matchups against the Mets’ Sean Manaea and David Peterson, Nick Castellanos will get some starts. However, as he himself said, “This is the first time I’ve taken three days off in a row where I wasn’t hurt since … my whole career.” For a veteran, such a shift in reality could be too much to reconcile in the Phillies.

While his future looks uncertain, the team is also juggling another massive storyline involving Kyle Schwarber and a powerful record-breaking addition from Japan.

Kyle Schwarber’s future collides with the Phillies $300M Murakami gamble

Kyle Schwarber has been the face of the Phillies’ offensive surge in 2025, providing MVP-level delivery and proving himself invaluable on and off the field. Insider Jon Heyman said that “The Phillies want to keep their MVP candidate,” highlighting the management’s determination to retain the star. At 33, he is targeting what could be the last major payday of his career, and Kyle Schwarber’s ironman streak with playing all 139 games so far highlights just how much the star still brings to the team.

However, his future has become tied to Munetaka Murakami, the Japanese star who has attracted international attention with his records. From 2019 to 2024, he averaged 37 home runs per season, containing a jaw-dropping 56 in 2022. Munetaka Murakami entered this month hitting .310 with 17 homers, 31 RBIs, and a 1.081 OPS in just 177 plate appearances. The fans could wonder if Dombrowski can realistically pursue Munetaka Murakami and Schwarber.

The stakes are enormous. The international star is just 25 years old and would quickly provide generational power at third base, a place where Alec Bohm’s long-term future remains uncertain. As Fansided’s Jake Elman said, “Murakami certainly sounds worth the risk, even more so if Kyle Schwarber departs in free agency.” Adding the star could reshape the team for the upcoming decades; however, it could also force hard decisions related to how much to spend on Schwarber.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan highlighted Schwarber’s unique value. He said, “He plays every day — literally all 139 of the Phillies’ games — and in late and close situations this year is OPSing 1.244, nearly 100 points higher than the next-best hitter, Ohtani.” Beyond the data, the star’s leadership in the team has been praised as “invaluable.” Such a mix of production and availability makes it tough for the team to lose a star, specifically when the Phillies’ championship window is wide open.

Ultimately, Dave Dombrowski and Rob Thomson face a team-defining choice. Do they go all-in on Schwarber and Murakami simultaneously, knowing the price tag could exceed half a billion dollars? Or does the team focus on one star over the other? With Castellanos’ exit lingering, the path forward looks clear — the team is preparing to reshape their identity around whichever big bat they can lock down.