Fri Feb 21 20:00:00 UTC 2025: **Mariners Sign Rowdy Tellez to Minor League Deal**
SEATTLE, WA (February 21, 2025) – The Seattle Mariners have signed first baseman Rowdy Tellez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, the team announced late Monday. The 29-year-old Tellez, who was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates in September, will compete for a spot on the major league roster.
Tellez had a highly inconsistent season with Pittsburgh, hitting .243/.299/.392 with 13 home runs. While he enjoyed a strong stretch in June and August, his performance plummeted in September, leading to his release just shy of a contractually obligated bonus. Over the past four seasons, Tellez has been a below-average hitter overall, though he’s demonstrated power potential in smaller sample sizes.
The Mariners already have Luke Raley slated for most of the first base duties against right-handed pitchers, and Mitch Garver and Mitch Haniger are expected to fill designated hitter roles. Tellez’s path to the Opening Day roster is limited unless injuries occur, and he’s likely to begin the season with Triple-A Tacoma.
The signing has sparked debate among Mariners fans. Some view it as a low-risk, high-reward move, while others criticize the team’s overall offseason strategy, arguing that they should be pursuing more significant free agent signings to bolster their offense. The Mariners’ front office, however, maintains that their focus remains on internal development and strategic low-cost additions.
First Piper 