Philadelphia Phillies released outfielder Nick Castellanos. Immediately after the release, Castellanos admitted that last season he had brought beer into the dugout during a game and was benched.
Local media including ESPN reported, "Philadelphia released Castellanos. The team tried to trade him but ultimately could not reach an agreement. The Philadelphia club wanted to resolve the situation before the first full-squad spring training," the report said.
Castellanos, who was entering the final year of a five-year, $100 million contract, still has $20 million (about 26 billion won) in remaining salary. Philadelphia must cover the full remaining salary except for the minimum salary that will be offset if he signs with another team.
Castellanos was removed from the starting lineup after being benched for what was described as making "inappropriate comments" to manager Rob Thomson when he was taken out during a road game in Miami last season. In a September interview, Castellanos also referred to communication with Thomson as "questionable, at least in my experience."
But there was a behind-the-scenes story. Castellanos posted a handwritten note on social media explaining the specific circumstances that led to him being sent to the bench. He said that after being replaced during the game he brought beer into the dugout and complained to Thomson about team rules. He added that teammates took the beer away before they drank it.
He wrote, "After being replaced in a close game with family and friends watching, I went into the dugout with a beer. I then sat next to Rob (manager Thomson) and said that some parts of the current team rules are too lax and some are overly strict, and that those rules do not help us win."
Afterward he was summoned to the office with manager Rob Thomson and president Dave Dombrowski. Castellanos said, "We clarified our differences in position, and I apologized for letting emotions get the better of me and ended the conversation." He was removed from the starting lineup for the next game as punishment for the incident.
Castellanos appeared in 147 games last season, hitting .250 with 17 home runs and 72 RBIs, helping the team win the National League East. In 13 major league seasons he has 1,742 hits, 250 home runs, 920 RBIs, 827 runs and a .272 batting average. But Dombrowski said he has continued to explore trade possibilities with other clubs recently.
ESPN predicted, "Adolis García, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract with Philadelphia in December, is expected to fill the right field spot left by Castellanos."
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