Right field isn't a big enough problem for Mariners to go near Nick Castellanos

The Mariners have begun spring training with plenty of talent. Their proactive offseason moves have them positioned as a strong contender within the American League, but that doesn't mean the roster is without imperfections. Second base is the clearest issue, but right field likely isn't where the organization wants it to be either.

After picking up more outfield depth in the form of Rob Refsnyder, the front office outlined how they plan on using the several names capable of playing the position. But without a definitive first option, it's a reasonable cause for concern. There are some names that have recently been named as possible trade targets, but the one that's being sold the most urgently would likely be a pitfall for this competitive Seattle squad.

Nick Castellanos is being aggressively shopped by the Phillies, but would be a step in the wrong direction for the Mariners

As reported by Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies are trying to trade away Castellanos as soon as possible, citing irreconcilable differences between him and the organization. If they're in such a hurry to get him off of the roster, could the Mariners get an outfielder with proven power for a discount price?

While Castellanos does have the ability to hit for power, it comes with a nearly endless list of caveats, including poor contact and swing decisions. In 2025, he whiffed nearly 30 percent of the time and had a chase rate of almost 41 percent, placing him in the bottom quartile of qualified hitters. His 5.4 walk rate didn't help and limited his on-base percentage to just .294, the lowest mark of any full season in his career.

In the field, the situation isn't much better. He has been known as a defensive liability for his whole career, posting an eye-watering -91 Defensive Runs Saved over his career. In fact, he has never posted more than -9 DRS as an outfielder in any qualified season.

He's not exactly a glue guy either. He publicly criticized Phillies manager Rob Thomson after seeing his role in the lineup reduced to a platoon bat. Thus, it's easy to see why the Phillies are trying so desperately to move a player who's owed $20 million in the final year of a five-year contract. Per Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the team even told Castellanos not to report to spring training.

For the Mariners, there's simply nothing to gain. Even if Philadelphia paid the entirety of his contract and gave him to Seattle for free, there's little data to suggest that he would be more effective than any of the four names currently slated to spend time in right field. The lineup isn't lacking in the power department thanks to Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, and Josh Naylor. The team's chemistry and trust in manager Dan Wilson is a big reason for their recent success. Why sully that on the off-chance Castellanos provides a marginal improvement?

Seattle could conceivably be one of the teams that Philadelphia has reached out to about doing a deal, but it'd be shocking to learn if they reciprocated any interest. The Phillies have been trying to move him since the end of last season and there's a reason there haven't been any serious suitors. Things may be different closer to the trade deadline but for now, the Mariners have a good thing going and shouldn't take unnecessary risks.