Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Rowdy Tellez awakened on Tuesday 4 plate appearances in need of incomes a $200,000 efficiency bonus.
He will not get there. The Pirates launched Tellez and outfielder Michael A. Taylor Tuesday afternoon. They known as up prospects Liover Peguero and outfielder Joshua Palacios in corresponding strikes.
Tellez performed this season on a one-year, $3.2 million contract. He had a clause that triggered a $200,000 bonus if he made 425 plate appearances. He finishes the season with 421, a mean recreation’s value of PAs from a six-figure payday.
The Pirates made the transfer with six video games remaining of their season. They have been eradicated from the postseason final week and are on observe for a last-place end within the NL Central. The choice begs the query: Did the Pirates minimize Tellez to keep away from paying him $200,000?
Pirates brass explains
Per basic supervisor Ben Cherington, the choice “had nothing to do with the place the plate appearances have been lining up.”
“Zero issue within the resolution,” Cherington mentioned,” per the Pittsburgh Put up-Gazette. “Conscious of it, definitely. I’m conscious of the contracts that each one gamers have. No issue in any respect, zero.”
Cherington was additionally requested if he was involved concerning the optics of the choice suggesting that the Pirates underneath proprietor Bob Nutting may hesitant to spend.
“And, no, I’m not involved,” Cherington continued. “When you’re asking about optics going ahead and the way it impacts enterprise and issues like that, no. Contracts are negotiated in good religion. Then they dwell out.”
Cherington additionally mentioned that he is not fearful that the choice could have a unfavorable impression on the clubhouse.
“Guys perceive the place we’re,” Cherington mentioned. “Within the previous days of expanded rosters, we most likely wouldn’t be sitting right here having this dialog. However there are 28 spots, and 14 are going to go to place gamers. We really feel like we have now to get the 14 guys on the crew, wherever we are able to, who’ve the perfect likelihood to contribute previous this 12 months. I believe our gamers perceive that.”
Cherington and supervisor Derek Shelton contend that the choice was made to achieve extra expertise for Peguero and Palacios.
“It got here right down to when the minor league season ended and these guys getting right here,” Shelton mentioned. “That’s what factored into the choice probably the most.”
Tellez’s MLB future is unclear. In 131 video games this season, he slashed .243/.299/.392 with 13 dwelling runs, 56 RBI and one stolen base. He is 29 years previous and a seven-season MLB veteran. His time with the Pirates is finished.
If his profession is finished, he’ll retire having earned roughly $12.5 million in wage. He did not deal with his launch in public on Tuesday.
