It's time for Padres to end their Nick Castellanos experiment originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Diego Padres didn't spend a ton of money this offseason to bolster their offense, and there is one clear spot on the roster that has left a lot to be desired: the designated hitter spot.

Nick Castellanos was signed for the minimum after the Philadelphia Phillies cut him amid his $20 million contract. The Padres took a flyer on Castellanos, and after a spring training that wasn't terrible, he made the roster.

But now, as ESPN's David Schoenfield highlighted amid calling Castellanos one of the biggest disappointments in MLB this season, it's time for the Padres to move on from Castellanos and explore other needs.

Padres need to end their Nick Castellanos experiment

"Disappointment: Nick Castellanos, San Diego Padres/Marcell Ozuna, Pittsburgh Pirates," Schoenfield writes. "Did I think either of these signings would work out? No. Did I think they'd be this bad? No. Both teams will be in search of a DH to fill the void."

The Padres signed Castellanos for very cheap, under $1 million, so it was a worthwhile attempt to try and get the most out of a former star slugger.

But Castellanos has been, simply put, terrible this season. Through 18 games this season, Castellanos has accounted for -0.9 bWAR.

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He has had 56 plate appearances, with eight total hits, one run scored, three doubles, seven RBIs, three walks, 16 strikeouts, a .151 batting average, and .404 OPS to go with a 13 OPS+, all the worst marks in his career by a wide margin.

This experiment was worth giving a go, but the Padres should end it now before he continues to negatively affect the team.

San Diego can look to some free agents or trade targets to improve their designated hitter spot, or even promote from within. But, regardless of how they do it, the Padres need to end the Castellanos experiment.

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