MLB Free Agency: Philadelphia Phillies sign All-Star outfielder Nick Castellanos, will exceed luxury tax

Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton vowed to fans and media that the team is not afraid of exceeding the Major League Baseball luxury tax threshold for the right player.

It appears third baseman/outfielder Nick Castellanos is that player.

Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a 5-year contract valued at $100 million

ESPN lead reporter Jeff Passan has said that the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a five-year contract worth $100 million with outfielder Nick Castellanos.

Outfielder Nick Castellanos and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. - @ Jeff Passan

Castellanos brings another power bat to Phillies manager Joe Girardi's lineup. He joins newly signed Kyle Schwarber, All-Star JT Realmuto and reigning National League Most Valuable Player Bryce Harper.

Castellanos would bring a right-handed bat to a very lefty-heavy Philadelphia Phillies lineup. In addition to the $20-million per year salary, the team will also have to forfeit a draft pick, as Castellanos rejected a Qualifying Offer from the Cincinnati Reds.

For the Cincinnati Reds, he slugged 34 homers en route to a .576 slugging percentage in the 2021 season. Those numbers were good enough for him to make the National League All-Star roster, the first of his career.

Though his numbers may be inflated by the Great American Ballpark's hitter-friendly atmosphere, the Phillies' Citizen's Bank Park is equally as generous to sluggers. While his offensive numbers make him special, Castellanos leaves a lot to be desired with the glove.

Washington Nationals vs Cincinnati Reds

While Philadelphia fans will be excited with the amount of power coursing through their lineup, they may find themselves frustrated with the defensive output of the team.

Newly signed Kyle Schwarber is a defensive liability in all the positions he has played. While Castellanos brings versitility to the positions he plays, he doesn't play any of those positions at a positive defensive level.

Unfortunately for the Phillies, a team that was near the bottom of all defensive metrics last year, there is only one Designated Hitter spot coming to the National League.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi will have a lot of power in his 2022 lineup.

The pressure will be mounting for the Phillies this year. This will be the first time in team history that they have gone over the luxury tax. It will be a struggle to get past teams like the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets to win their division, let alone the Los Angeles Dodgers to get to the World Series.

The big question for the team is whether they have enough offense to overcome what will likely be an awful defense?