Business is business but what the Pittsburgh Pirates did to Rowdy Tellez on Tuesday is equally as personal. They reportedly designated the big slugger for assignment just four at-bats away from a huge bonus.
There are only six games left in the regular season!
Tellez joined the Pirates in December on a two-year deal worth $3.2 million guaranteed. His contract also included various incentives based on performance.
- 425 plate appearances — $200,000
- 475 plate appearances — $200,000
- 525 plate appearances — $200,000
- 575 plate appearances — $200,000
- All-Star appearance — $50,000
- 1st Place MVP — $250,000
- 2nd Place MVP — $150,000
- 3rd Place MVP — $100,000
- Silver Slugger — $75,000
- Gold Glove — $25,000
- LCS MVP — $25,000
- DS MVP — $25,000
- World Series MVP — $50,000
Most of those marks are completely out of reach at this point. Tellez recorded a .243/.299/.392 line during the 2024 season. He does not offer much beyond his bat so his ice cold performance of .116/.255/.209 in the month of September does not provide any additional value to Pittsburgh.
It makes sense that the Pirates want to mix things up and spread the first base playing time around in their last few games. Tellez isn’t hitting so there is no point in keeping him around. Pittsburgh designated Rowdy Tellez for assignment on Tuesday.
With that being said, the Pirates are not going to make the postseason so there isn’t much reason not to keep him around for the last six games of the year. Except for money.
Tellez has 521 plate appearances this season. He would’ve reached the 525 mark before the season ends. That would have triggered a $200,000 bonus.
By removing Tellez from the Major League roster, Pittsburgh will guarantee that he does not get four more plate appearances in 2024 and it will not have to pay him the additional money. The bonus was in reach as of Monday night. The bonus is completely impossible as of Tuesday afternoon.