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Detroit Tigers Rumors: Possible landing spots for Nicholas Castellanos

By Kristen Bentley

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 01: Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Comerica Park on August 1, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Reds 7-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 01: Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Comerica Park on August 1, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Reds 7-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – JULY 14: Detroit Tigers right fielder Nicholas Castellanos (9) watches the pitch during the baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros on July 14, 2018 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

While the Orioles need nearly everything, they don’t have anything that the Tigers would be interested in acquiring. But, the Tampa Bay Rays could be another story altogether.

The Rays are an interesting team, simply because of their penchant for making unexpected trades. One of the most interesting is their rumored interest in Nelson Cruz as DH. According to several sources including Marc Topkin with the Tampa Bay Times, Cruz’s agent said he would be “a perfect fit.”

That signing would take care of the designated hitter position, but there are still a few holes that Castellanos could fill. In 2018, C.J. Cron manned first base, but the team released him and the Twins picked him up off of waivers. This leaves Ji-Man Choi and Jake Bauers as potential first baseman in 2019. Right-field also lacks depth with only Austin Meadows listed in the depth chart.

But, Meadows wasn’t too bad in right field or at the plate. He hit .287/.325/.461 in 59 games. Bauers – on the other hand – only hit .201/.316/.384. And Choi’s numbers in 49 games were .269/.370/.506.

Castellanos would be an upgrade at either first or right. If he were to play regularly at Tropicana Field, there is little doubt that his home run numbers would increase at the indoor stadium. He regularly hits his home runs to right-center. The Trop has a slightly longer right-field wall than the one at Comerica Park, but the distance to center is much shorter.

He would be an interesting addition to the Rays, even if it’s only for a year or two.

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