The Philadelphia Phillies and slugger Nick Castellanos agreed to a contract, reportedly, just before midnight last night, first reported by Jeff Passan.
The deal is reportedly worth $100 million over five years.
The Phillies' 2022 projected payroll, with the addition of Castellanos, is now expected to be around $240 million, according to NBCSportsPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury, about $10 million over the competitive tax threshold.
Meaning, the Phillies have gone over the tax for the first time, something managing partner John Middleton has consistently said he would do for a chance to win a World Series.
Middleton received plenty of praise on Twitter from fans and media after the Castellanos signing was announced on Friday night.
In 2017, Middleton famously told Angelo Cataldi and the 94WIP Morning Show, "I'm going to bring that trophy back or I'm going to die trying."
Fans were getting restless, however, as the Phillies have not reached the postseason since 2011.
This week in free-agency, the Phillies signed relievers Jeurys Familia and Brad Hand to one-year deals worth $12 million and Kyle Schwarber for four years and $79 million. They also re-signed Odubel Herrera to a $1.75 million one-year deal.
And, they signed closer Corey Knebel to a $10 million one-year deal a few months ago.
Castellanos, 30, gives the Phillies yet another powerful bat to add to Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, J.T. Realmuto, and Schwarber. The nickname "Broad Street Bombers" is already being thrown around on social media.
Castellanos, who has averaged 25 homers and 89 RBIs per season through his nine-year MLB career, slashed .309/.376/.576 with 34 homers and 100 RBIs in 2021, his best pro season. He was rewarded by being named to his first MLB All-Star team.