First baseman Rowdy Tellez has an opt-out opportunity in his minor league deal with the Mariners this weekend, reports Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. He’ll be able to ask for his release on March 23 if he hasn’t been added to the 40-man roster by that point. The team would have 24 hours to add Tellez to the 40-man roster or release him upon him triggering the clause.
Tellez, who just turned 30 on Sunday, has had a productive Cactus League stint with the M’s, slashing .297/.333/.595 with a trio of homers in 39 trips to the plate. In doing so, he’s put himself into the mix for at-bats at first base or designated hitter.
Fellow lefty-swinging slugger Luke Raley is expected to handle the lion’s share of playing time at first base, but the DH spot is less settled. High-priced veterans Mitch Haniger and Mitch Garver will probably get some looks, but both are right-handed and coming off poor seasons at the plate. There’s a potential platoon setup with the left-handed Tellez, and a shoulder injury to Haniger could set him up for an even more prominent role if he makes the club. Haniger hasn’t played in a spring game in 11 days now. Garver has also been a bit banged up, missing a few games after getting plunked in the hand, but he returned to the lineup over the weekend. Garver has been on a tear this spring and has a long track record against lefties; he and Tellez could also form a platoon in the DH spot.
Tellez has the type of power bat that the Mariners have frequently lacked in recent years, as evidenced by a 35-homer campaign with the Brewers back in 2022. However, he doesn’t walk all that often or run well, leading to perennially middling batting averages and on-base percentages. Even in that 2022 power surge, Tellez hit just .219 with a .306 on-base percentage. He’s also struggled in the two years since, posting a combined .231/.295/.385 line in 772 plate appearances. Overall, Tellez is a career .234/.303/.436 hitter in just over 2300 plate appearances in the majors.
If you can’t make the M’s as the starting first basemen exactly where else can you go?
KBO, NPB or Mexican League are always good spots, but I think Rowdy makes the cut. He’s had a great Spring Training, and if he can make it work at T-Mobile Park with even decent production, he’s going to be a boon for them.
Aaron or Bret
Lol for fun these days, Aaron Boone because of the gems he comes up with whenever Jomboy interviews him. Bret had a stretch of like 3 or 4 seasons where he was just torching the ball though.
“Aaron Boone..Jomboy interviews”….Dr. Aaron Boone can’t come to the phone right now. He’s due in post op in 15 minutes and he hasn’t even scrubbed yet.
Yep. His steroid days.
You’re kidding, right?
Not that I want him back in Pittsburgh, but they cut the guy and then gave away a back end starter for a broken down guy in Horwitz
Only with this franchise do you see such things
The Mariners have a lefty first-baseman who had an OPS+ of 129 last year. Raley also played in the outfield last year but seems primed for a majority of 1B reps unless there is an injury. Tellez could start on the roster as a primary DH/pinch hitter if Haniger is on the IL since they aren’t ready to call up any prospects yet. But an OPS+ of 91 doesn’t bode well for a team that values defensive flexibility.
The Mariners stink!
Just a sad statement that he is the best they could do over a whole offseason. Front office incompetence dictated by ownership constraints.
Soul crushing for Mariners fans.
Poor Rowdy. Guy built himself in MKE and it’s been awful for him since Brewers did him cheap not to mention the Pirates too
This guy will be hitting .195 by May and be released to go play in the KBO.
Meh……
Haniger is bound to get injured and Garver is also the backup Catcher so there’s opportunities for playing time all around
Pls stay in Seattle or at least in tacoma
Please come to Boston; she said no
You’re the number one fan of the man…from Tennessee?
But he could sell his paintings on the sidewalk.
Man I hope he heads back to the NL. This man torments my Sox.