In December of 2023, Ethan Hullihen—a Pittsburgh Pirates contract guru—quietly posted to social media the specifics of an agreement between the team and first baseman Rowdy Tellez. The contract's incentive structure, per Hullihen, included a $200,000 incentive if Tellez reached 425 plate appearances in 2024.
That piece of Tellez's contract became news across the baseball world Tuesday afternoon, when the Pirates designated Tellez for assignment... four plate appearances shy of the 425 mark.
In 421 plate appearances this season, Tellez slashed .243/.299/.392 this season with 13 home runs and 56 RBIs. The 29-year-old overcame a nightmarish start to make his numbers look respectable; he hit .198 in March and April and .143 in May.
We have recalled INF Liover Peguero and OF Joshua Palacios from Triple-A Indianapolis, and designated 1B Rowdy Tellez and OF Michael A. Taylor for assignment.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 24, 2024
Two facts, take them for what you will:
— James Santelli, Fan of #1 Pitt Volleyball (@JamesSantelli) September 24, 2024
1. Ethan reports that the Pirates would owe Rowdy a $200,000 bonus if he reaches 425 plate appearances.
2. Rowdy has 421 plate appearances. https://t.co/edbsg7vCCf
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's fortunes operated in reverse. After spending much of the season in the playoff hunt, the Pirates faded late and currently sit in last place in the National League Central division—16 games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers.
Tellez played for those Brewers from 2021 to '23, clubbing 35 home runs in 2022.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Pirates DFA First Baseman Rowdy Tellez Four Plate Appearances Shy of Six-Figure Bonus.