Castellanos opts out, per report

Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images MLB Rumors: Nick Castellanos is a free agent, having opted out of the final years of his contract with the Cincinnati Reds, according to Jon Heyman on Twitter.

The 30 year old Castellanos signed a 4 year, $64 million deal with the Reds prior to the 2020 season that gave him the right to opt out of the deal after both 2020 and 2021. Castellanos had a disappointing 2020 season, slashing just .225/.298/.486, but bounced back in 2021 with the best season of his career, slashing .309/.362/.576 and being named to the All Star team for the first time.

The Rangers pursued Castellanos as well in the 2019-20 offseason, and given the team’s stated intent to be…