All-Star right fielder Nick Castellanos will join the 2021-22 free agent draft class after exercising the opt-out clause in his contract with the Cincinnati Reds. According to reports, Castellanos told the franchise about his decision on Thursday.
Castellanos signed with the Reds as a free agent in 2020, inking a four-year, $64 million deal. The contract gave him an opt-out after each of his first two seasons in Cincinnati.
Castellanos opting out is hardly a surprise considering the Cincinnati Reds don’t seem too ambitious for the 2022 MLB season. General manager Nick Krall recently told reporters that the team is looking to slash their payroll and wants to focus on “scouting and developing young talent from within our system.”
But maybe an even bigger reason for Castellanos’ decision is his impressive campaign in 2021. In 138 games this season, the 29-year-old posted a career-best .309 batting average while also hitting career-high 34 homers and adding 100 RBIs. His stellar performances ended up getting him his first All-Star nod.
By electing to hit the free-agent market after a big year, Castellanos is setting himself up for a handsome contract from a team with more ambitions than the Reds. He immediately becomes one of the best hitters available and will probably end up landing a longer deal that will also significantly increase his earnings.
