The Pittsburgh Pirates recently made headlines for releasing Rowdy Tellez just before he reached a milestone of 425 plate appearances, which would have triggered a $200,000 bonus.
This move, coming ahead of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, raised eyebrows, with MLB insider Jeff Passan sharing his criticism of Pirates’ owner Bill Nutting. Passan suggested that Nutting’s focus on cutting costs indicates that he’s not genuinely committed to competing for championships. The timing of Tellez’s release, just short of his bonus, has added to the controversy.
Passan’s criticism points to a larger issue with Pirates ownership, accusing the team of prioritizing savings over fielding a competitive team. Despite being under contract for $3.2 million in 2024 and contributing with 13 home runs and 56 RBIs, Tellez was let go. General Manager Ben Cherington claimed that the bonus had no impact on the decision and noted Tellez’s mixed performance throughout the season, stating the team simply decided to go in a different direction. Instead, the Pirates are turning their focus to younger players, such as Liover Peguero and Josh Palacios, who have shown promise in the minors.
This move has fueled ongoing concerns about the Pirates’ commitment to winning, with Passan questioning the long-term direction of the team under Nutting’s ownership. Despite Cherington’s explanations, the release of Tellez has left many fans frustrated, feeling that financial decisions are overshadowing the Pirates’ ability to build a competitive roster.
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