Rowdy Tellez opens up about dramatic Pirates situation that drew ire from fans

As if their free fall to last place in the National League Central Division wasn't bad enough, the Pittsburgh Pirates added insult to injury with their treatment of first baseman Rowdy Tellez during the final days of the 2024 season.

Tellez, who signed a one-year contract with the Pirates during the 2023-24 offseason, slashed .243/.299/.392 with 13 home runs and 56 RBI in 131 games for Pittsburgh. The Pirates proceeded to designate him for assignment with just six games remaining in the regular season.

The move drew a tremendous amount of ridicule from fans, players and pundits alike, as Tellez was just four plate appearances away from earning a $200,000 bonus at the time. It's certainly a bad look, even for a perennially cost-conscious team like the Pirates.

On a recent episode of "Foul Territory," Tellez told Erik Kratz that he was surprised by the Pirates' decision.

"It kind of caught me off guard, really, but this game is a business and those things happen. You don't want them to happen," Tellez said. "I can say they didn't do anything wrong on paper, but I just felt like it was one of those things that kind of blindsided me. I wish I was able to finish out the last six games with the guys and be there and say my goodbyes. It didn't work out that way and I ended up just going home, sitting at the house and just really looking back at what could have been better for the year, what could have changed and what I could have done better."

Rowdy Tellez appears to hint at potential Pirates reunion in 2025 after surprise DFA in 2024

Amid all the end-of-season drama, Tellez acted like a true professional. Even now, instead of taking digs at the Pirates organization, he maintains that he understands the business side of the game.

"All my teammates reached out to me and kind of expressed how they felt toward me and toward the action that happened, but there's not much you can do about it," Tellez told Katz. "It sucks. Money is money, but life will go on and hopefully with the contract next year, maybe we'll just add that in instead."

Wait a minute ... did he just say, "the contract next year?"

While it's possible that Tellez was simply referring to whatever contract he signs next season, with whichever team, it certainly sounds like he could be hinting at re-signing with Pittsburgh in 2025. If that does end up happening, kudos to Tellez for taking the high road; but he can't claim to be surprised if and when the club takes advantage of him again.

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