Pirates Get Rowdy; Sign 1B Tellez

Pittsburgh entered the offseason with a dire need for a first baseman after trading away Carlos Santana to the Milwaukee Brewers before last season's trade deadline. Ben Cherington addressed this need by signing the other first baseman from the Brewers.

Rowdy Tellez has signed a one-year deal worth $3.2 million with the Pittsburgh Pirates. This deal also includes up to $800k in incentives.

Tellez, 29, is entering his seventh season in the major leagues. He has been a big power hitter his entire career with 92 home runs. 35 of those came in 2022, his best season of his career. 2023 was a struggle for him, causing the Brewers to acquire Santana and eventually non-tender him after the season. 

In 2021 and 2023, Tellez battled injuries causing him to play only 106 games in each of those two seasons. He struggled in those years but had an amazing season in 2022. In 2022, Tellez batted .219 with 35 home runs and 89 runs batted in. He also had a wRC+ of 110 and a .306 on-base percentage. Playing in 156 games that 2022 season proves that he can be a very good hitter when healthy. He has a very powerful bat with the ability to draw a lot of walks. 

I am almost certain that Tellez will be utilized as a platoon player with Connor Joe at first base next season. I think this was a solid signing because first base was a question mark going into the offseason. This is also a big left-handed power bat to go along with Oneil Cruz and Jack Suwinski as the big power-hitting lefties in the lineup. 

Welcome to Pittsburgh, Rowdy!