Nick Castellanos Opts Out Of Contract, Becomes Free Agent
3 years agoCincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Castellanos opted out of his contract, as expected, and will become a free agent after slashing .309/.362/.576 with a career-high 34 home runs, 38 doubles and 100 RBI in 2021 to become a first-time All-Star. He had $34 million and two years left on his deal with Cincinnati. The 29-year-old had two opt-out clauses in his contract, but he didn't exercise the first one after the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. It seems likely the Reds will extend a one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer to Castellanos. If Castellanos rejects the offer and signs elsewhere, the Reds will receive draft-pick compensation after the first round. With Castellanos likely going elsewhere, Aristides Aquino and Tyler Naquin could split time in right field, while Jesse Winker is another option to replace Castellanos in right.
Source: MLB Network - Jon Heyman
Source: MLB Network - Jon Heyman