The Seattle Mariners will sign free agent first baseman Rowdy Tellez to a minor league deal, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Thursday evening. Previously, Tellez played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, and most recently, the Pittsburgh Pirates. For his seven-year career, the left-handed batter has hit .234/.303/.436, 105 HR, and 319 RBI. This includes a 2022 season when he hit .219/.306/.461, 35 HR, and 89 RBI as a Brewer. The deal includes an invite to spring training, per Heyman.
Rowdy Tellez to the Mariners. Minors deal. MLB camp invite.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 21, 2025
Report: Free Agent Rowdy Tellez to Sign with Mariners, Looking to Prove 2022 Wasn’t a Fluke
Tellez looks more like a guy from your neighborhood bar’s bowling team than your favorite team’s first baseman. That type of Everyman appeal is perhaps why he’s popular among a certain segment of the fan base, even during the occasional slump. In 2024, however, the slumps were more than occasional. He did well to bounce back after hitting a woeful .177/.239/.223 as of the end of May.
Last season, as the latest to enter and exit through the revolving door of recent Pirates first basemen, Tellez hit .243/.299/.392, 13 HR, and 56 RBI. The Pirates signing him was a reasonable gamble, given that he was just one year removed from his best season. However, having completed two consecutive years with just 13 home runs to go along with the usual subpar batting average, his 2022 season looks more and more like an aberration. Tellez will try to use this latest opportunity to prove otherwise.
Tellez rediscovering his power stroke would justify the Mariners signing this free agent. Of the so-called five tools, hitting for power is the sharpest in his toolbox. He’ll probably never hit for a high average. He’s a slow runner and isn’t considered a good fielder. For 2024, he was charged with just two errors but was worth just one Fielding Run Above Average and registered -3 Defensive Runs Saved.
The Pirates used Tellez as part of a first base platoon, which appears to be what best suits him. Last year, in 46 plate appearances against left-handed pitching, he was 8-for-40, albeit with two home runs. He’s undoubtedly ticketed for a similar role this season. His playing time will be determined by how consistently he hits home runs.
Photo Credit: © Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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