Pittsburgh Pirates facing criticism for cutting Rowdy Tellez just shy of $200K bonus

Pirates GM Ben Cherington said a $200,000 bonus for 425 plate appearances in 1B Rowdy Tellez’s contract that was four PAs shy of being activated had “zero factor in the decision” to designate him for assignment, according to Noah Hiles of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. Cherington said, “[We were] aware of it, certainly. I’m aware of the contracts that all players have. No factor at all, zero. And, no, I’m not concerned. If you’re asking about optics going forward and how it affects business and things like that, no. Contracts are negotiated in good faith. Then they live out. … [It] had nothing to do with where the plate appearances were lining up.” Hiles noted Cherington and manager Ben Shelton both “voiced little concern” that the decision will “paint the Pirates in a negative light heading into the offseason.” Cherington said that he did not expect the decision to “have a negative impact within the clubhouse.” In addition to Tellez, CF Michael A. Taylor was also designated for assignment. Taylor “was not on track for any additional performance bonuses” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 9/24).  

BAD REPUTATION: In Pittsburgh, Jason Mackey wrote the move to DFA Tellez was “absurd, bringing negative attention to the team for absolutely no reason.” Given the way the Pirates are perceived around baseball — “cheap” — this “only serves to further that reputation, whether their reasons were legitimate or not.” If nothing else, it “shows an inability to read the room, a problem that has plagued the Pirates for far too long.” Mackey: “Players also talk, and I have a hard time thinking Taylor would give a glowing recommendation of Pittsburgh to potential free agents — a legitimate problem considering their ongoing battle of convincing guys to play here.” The same “has to be true for Tellez.” Tellez and Taylor’s salaries are guaranteed. The “only thing the Pirates saved” was Tellez’s $200,000 bonus, though it “could cost them dearly when it comes to negative public perception” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 9/24). In Pittsburgh, Tim Benz writes the “true embarrassment is that it is all so believable. It is just so on-brand.” The Pirates “had every right to do to Tellez what they did,” but the “fact that they felt the need to do it is head-scratching,” though. “Maybe that recouped $200,000 can be well-spent on hiring a public relations firm to teach this front office how to read a room.” The organization is “a repeated pinata in baseball circles. It is a laughing stock. This decision doesn’t help” (TRIBLIVE.com, 9/25).