Despite the Pittsburgh Pirates being out of playoff contention, first baseman Rowdy Tellez was still playing hard for a shot at a $200,000 bonus based on plate appearances. Just four plate appearances away from hitting that mark, Tellez was determined to reach his goal.
However, Tellez’s hopes were crushed when the Pirates decided to designate him for assignment just before their game against the Milwaukee Brewers with only five games left in the regular season. This move left Tellez at 421 plate appearances, four short of the 425 required for the bonus.
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington explained that the decision to remove Tellez from the roster was not influenced by the potential bonus, stating, “We feel like we gave Rowdy lots of opportunity here this year.”
Having signed a one-year, $3.2 million deal in the offseason, Tellez’s performance in 2024 showed improvement from the previous year but was a decline from his career-high numbers in 2022. Despite a slow start to the season, Tellez picked up momentum and had standout moments, like hitting a grand slam in July.
The Pirates’ hopes for a playoff spot dwindled after a rough August, culminating in their elimination from contention on September 16. Unfortunately for Tellez, this also led to his designation for assignment by the team.
In MLB contracts, players can earn bonuses through incentive clauses, with plate appearances being a common benchmark. The Pirates’ loss to the Brewers on Tuesday brought their 2024 record to 73-84, and Tellez was not the only player designated for assignment as outfielder Michael A. Taylor also faced the same fate.
(Photo: Jason Mowry / Getty Images)
