Baseball Isn’t Boring
Presser: Nick Castellanos On Signing With Padres & His Exit From Phillies
15 Feb 2026
Chapter 1: How did Nick Castellanos end up signing with the Padres?
Can you take us through this very quick process and how you ended up here? Yeah. Well, I got a phone call from my agent and said that San Diego is interested and they want to talk. Do you want to do that? I said, absolutely. The call went well and I made my decision to sign. What kind of things did they say to you that appealed to you and what are your expectations?
I mean, they're just they're giving me an opportunity. That's all I can ask for. To be able to come here, be myself, work hard, make the club, you know, earn my playing time and just help really in any way that I can. San Diego win. With Manny at all before he made the decision? Yeah, I had conversations with Manny throughout the offseason. Sure.
Did he advise you to come here at all or sway the decision?
Sure. My relationship with Manny played part in it.
What do you envision as your role here? I know you've played a lot of right field lately. You've got Fernando out there. What's your role going to be like here?
I have no idea. That's for the staff. But I'm open and willing to do anything.
I saw you at first base earlier. Is that something you would entertain? And what do you envision as, like, if you're playing first, is your skill set?
Well, we're going to have to wait and see because obviously I haven't played there before. I played infield when I was younger, and I think I have 500 games at third base or so in the beginning of my career. But like I said, as far as my role, it's whatever they need. Just here to help. Did you do some work there last year at all? I say before games or taking balls first?
In September, I'd go over there with Bobby Dickerson a little bit just for fun.
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Chapter 2: What role does Nick Castellanos envision for himself with the Padres?
So all those things came into an account, and I'm happy to be wearing brown.
Nick, seemingly everyone in baseball has had an opinion on your ending in Philadelphia. Is there anything you wish could have gone different? Kind of an open-ended question. What do you wish had gone differently?
That we would have won a World Series.
What about you personally? Or just that?
I mean, I think winning solves everything. So I think the one thing that I wish would have ended up different is that we would have won.
When the season ended, Nick, did you think you were gone?
I had a good idea.
Yeah. Speaking of winnings, the fact this team was in the playoffs the last two years, has a veteran group, looks like it has the ability to get back again this year, has a legitimate chance to go deep in the playoffs. Is that something you were really looking for in the place where you were signing? Absolutely. Hey, this is Richard Deitch, the host of the Sports Media Podcast.
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Chapter 3: What does a fresh start mean for Nick Castellanos in San Diego?
He's put on spikes. He's grinded. He's felt the feeling of success, and he's also felt the feeling, you know, when... the game doesn't go your way. So there's a lot of respect in that. And I'm excited to do whatever he needs me to do.
How excited was your family when you told them you were coming to San Diego, especially your son?
This is Liam's favorite city, so he was probably the most excited. I know he probably didn't wish that it was as far as it is from Florida, but, you know, it is what it is.
Nick, earlier today you were just glowing about your guys' childhood together. What do you make of your guys' childhood together?
I mean, it's a lot of fun. You know, I remember playing against Manny, 9, 10 years old. And, you know, now being able to play with him in our 30s as grown men with families and, you know, still pursuing a childhood dream of becoming a World Series champion. He hasn't won. I haven't won. You know, I'm here to help him however he needs it.
Was it the beach, the ballpark, your son's, that makes San Diego his favorite place? Say that again? Was it the beach, the ballpark, what makes it his favorite place?
That's a good question. I guess you're going to have to ask him when he comes. I know that he liked the tacos and Gaslamp. He's a huge Fernando fan. I think just the environment of, you know, like Slam Diego and all that. And, you know, he's 12, so he likes the flash and everything. So, yeah. What have you thought when you played at Pickle Park? I mean, I've always enjoyed it.
I thought the vibe is very electric. The fans love their Padres. Just good experiences, you know, so I'm excited to hopefully be a part of the San Diego Dodgers rivalry and when the Giants come to play and all that.
Did you have anything different last year? You were pretty vocal about your frustrations about playing time. Looking back, do you wish you had kept it more private?
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