CINCINNATI — In a decision that was expected, right fielder Nick Castellanos informed the Reds that he is exercising the opt-out clause of his contract to become a free agent, MLB.com learned on Thursday. There has been no official announcement from the club or Castellanos.
Castellanos, who signed a four-year, $64 million contract ahead of the 2020 season, had two years and $34 million remaining on his deal.
In 138 games during the 2021 season, Castellanos batted .309/.362/.576 with a career-high 34 home runs, along with 38 doubles and 100 RBIs while becoming a first-time All-Star. He emerged as a fan favorite for his hard-nosed style of play and clutch hitting.
Castellanos, who turns 30 on March 4, had two opt-out clauses in his deal, but he did not exercise the first one following the shortened 2020 season.
The qualifying offer for free agents from their old club is one year for $18.4 million. It seems likely that the Reds would extend a qualifying offer. If Castellanos rejects the qualifying offer and signs elsewhere, Cincinnati will receive Draft-pick compensation following the first round.
There is not an immediate replacement for Castellanos’ production on the Reds’ roster. Inside the organization, Aristides Aquino and Tyler Naquin could play right field and left fielder Jesse Winker could also be shifted there to play.
Besides Castellanos, the Reds have three other free agents on the market in relievers Mychal Givens and Michael Lorenzen and infielder Asdrúbal Cabrera.
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