Pittsburgh Pirates DFAed Rowdy Tellez to Save $200,000
While attendance and support for baseball is up this season. One complaint that fans still tend to have is the refusal of some teams to spend money. Normally, this type of displeasure is voiced during the offseason; however, when news hit regarding some of Pittsburgh’s recent dealings; the dam broke right open. What occurred? Well, simply put, the Pittsburgh Pirates DFAed Rowdy Tellez in order to save $200,000. Ouch.
Nevertheless, incentives are a great aspect of player contracts. It allows athletes to make more money; most likely closer to what they are actually worth. But it also protects the ball club; by ensuring that players keep up their production or aim to stay healthy throughout the length of the contract.
Rowdy Tellez did just that, by remaining in the lineup for over 420 at bats. The Pirates are aware that he keep up his end of the bargain. The problem is, they have decided not to keep theirs and have made the decision to let Rowdy go. Not the best look for the franchise.
Attracting free agents is very important to teams wishing to beef up their rosters. Yet, sending the message that “we will cut you just before we have to pay you;” may not be the best attractive magnet. It could cause players in future to be extremely wary.
Pittsburgh Pirates DFAed Rowdy Tellez to Save $200,000
However, Tellez isn’t the only Pirate to get his marching orders on Tuesday. The team released Rowdy and Michael A. Taylor; while promoting infielder Liover Peguero and outfielder Josh Palacios from Triple-A Indianapolis. Yet, even though multiple players got the axe, that doesn’t lessen the blow to Tellez. But general manager Ben Cherington maintains that the $200K bonus due had “zero factor” in the decision to cut ties with Tellez, who had become a fan favorite in Pittsburgh during the big summer run. Cherington states,
“We feel like we gave Rowdy lots of opportunity here this year. To his credit, he fought through some difficult times earlier in the year and fought his way out of it. Had periods of success and periods of frustration. This is just where we got to in the season.”
The Pirates, who had signed Tellez to a one-year deal in the offseason, would have owed Tellez the performance bonus if he reached 425 plate appearances this season; he entered the day with 421. Just four appearances short.
Overall on the season, Rowdy Tellez recovered from a slow start. He went on to hit .243 with 13 home runs and 56 RBIs in 131 games. Wishing Tellez the best.
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