Rowdy Tellez, first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates, was disappointed to lose his chance of claiming a $200,000 plate appearance bonus for this season. Tellez was taken off the Pirates’ roster with just five games remaining of the season and only four plate appearances short of the 425 needed to secure the additional financial bonus. The Pirates’ move came in MLB’s final week of its regular season, meaning Tellez’s 2024 campaign will likely finish at 421 plate appearances.
Pirates’ General Manager Ben Cherington stated the potential payout for Tellez was not a factor in the decision to assign him to an alternative role within the team. Cherington emphasized that Tellez had received ample opportunity to perform this year. Tellez initially joined the Pirates as part of a one-year deal for $3.2 million in the offseason.
In the 2024 season, Tellez had 383 at bats with a slashed .243/.299/.392, 13 home runs, and 56 RBIs. These overall statistics mark an improvement from his performance in 2023, yet a decline from his record in 2022. Tellez set career highs in 2022 with 35 home runs, 89 RBIs, and 116 hits.
Tellez had a difficult start in 2024, starting with just one home run through May. The direction changed during a match against the New York Mets on July 5, where Tellez hit both a homer and a grand slam. The Pirates, despite being trade deadline buyers, had their hopes of a playoff spot diminished after a 10-game losing streak in August. The team were officially out of playoff contention on September 16, and reassigned Tellez eight days later.
The MLB contract agreement allows players to earn bonuses through an incentive clause. However, these bonuses should not be based on statistical achievement but rather on predetermined, non-statistical benchmarks such as plate appearances. Maintaining a position on the active roster for a certain number of days can also earn players a bonus.
After Tellez’s exclusion, the Pirates suffered another defeat on Tuesday, losing 7-2 against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Pirates’ season for 2024 stands at 73-84, and besides Tellez, the team also assigned outfielder Michael A. Taylor to a new role within the team.
