It could make some sense for Syndergaard to accept the $18.4 million to return to the Mets to reestablish value for free agency a year from now.
If the Phillies, for example, sign Castellanos, they would lose their second-highest pick in the 2022 draft and would lose $500,000 from their international bonus pool.
From a Phillies perspective, the players to note are Castellanos, Iglesias, Taylor, Conforto and the shortstops.
Building up a weak farm system is a priority for the Phillies, but the penalty likely wouldn’t keep them from signing a Castellanos or Iglesias for the right price.