Padres’ first base need is dragging them into a messy Phillies breakup

At the onset of the offseason, it looked like a good time to be in need of a first baseman. Now? Well, not so much.

The San Diego Padres have missed out on Pete Alonso, Josh Naylor, Munetaka Murakami, and Cody Bellinger this winter, primarily for budget reasons. They also failed to re-sign Ryan O'Hearn, though that may have a result of his less-than-stellar second half with the Friars in 2025.

Now, barring a shocking reunion with Luis Arraez (that wouldn't solve the power problem in the lineup), the Padres are truly desperate for an answer at the cold corner. They could always slide Jake Cronenworth over and ask KBO convert Sung-mun Song to play second base on a regular basis, but that'd deprive Craig Stammen of what little depth he has to work with on the bench.

More likely, an outside addition will be tasked with handling first base in San Diego in 2026. With so few options left on the board, Ken Rosenthal took to Foul Territory to suggest one outside-the-box player for A.J. Preller to mull over: Nick Castellanos.

Padres must find a first base solution that isn't Nick Castellanos

"The Padres are looking for a right-handed bat, and they're looking for one who would be inexpensive," Rosenthal explained. "And Castellanos has been taking ground balls, or at least training somewhat at first base, which is a position they're trying to fill."

It's well known at this point that Castellanos and the Philadelphia Phillies want a divorce, and that Castellanos is open to switching positions to facilitate a trade. However, after passing on Nolan Arenado — long one of the best defensive corner infielders in the league — over financial concerns, it's hard to see exactly how the Phillies' veteran slugger is a better option.

For one thing, Castellanos, 34 in March, is owed $20 million in the final year of his deal in 2026. The Phillies would have to eat nearly 75% of that to match the yearly salary the Arizona Diamondbacks will be paying Arenado. Would they really do that amidst such a quiet offseason in Philadelphia?

And even if they do, Castellanos is an awful defender who has never played at inning at first base. He did player the hot corner with the Detroit Tigers a decade ago, but he wasn't exactly lights out there, either.

So, his bat would need to cover for the rest of his deficencies. Once upon a time, that would have been a dependable outcome. Now? Castellanos hit just .250/.294/.400 (90 wRC+) in 2025, his lowest output in a full season in his career.

Add it all up, and it's clear that this just isn't the right player for the Padres to divert their limited resource toward. Sometimes, even beggars can be choosers.