Rowdy Tellez wasted no time in making his intentions known this winter when he singled out the Seattle Mariners as his ideal destination. As soon as the Mariners made contact, Tellez was ready to seize the opportunity. “I was already packed and ready to go,” the Florida-based veteran exclaimed. “When they called, I said, ‘Perfect.’” Tellez appreciated that Seattle’s environment was reminiscent of places he’d thrived before, with quality pitching staffs and seasoned players who know how to win at high levels.
Now in Spring training on a minor league contract, Tellez stands to earn $1.5 million if he makes the Opening Day roster. His deal even includes opt-outs if he isn’t added to the 40-man roster on March 23, May 1, or June 1, according to sources. Known for his left-handed power and the veteran presence he brings to the table, Tellez’s addition offers the Mariners a much-needed boost as they work to balance a roster featuring lefty hitters like Luke Raley and J.P. Crawford alongside switch-hitters Cal Raleigh and Jorge Polanco.
Primarily recognized as a first baseman, Tellez has also been deployed as a designated hitter throughout his 105-home-run, seven-year career that began in Toronto and has included stops in Milwaukee and Pittsburgh. Mariners manager Dan Wilson highlighted Tellez’s value: “When you look at what Rowdy’s been through—the leadership, the experience—it’s an interesting piece, and we’re definitely going to continue to watch him. I think he’s really attached to this group pretty quickly, as most guys do.”
Tellez’s true calling is his prodigious power at the plate. In his first full season with the Blue Jays in 2019, he knocked out 21 homers, and he was just two years removed from a 35-home run season with the Brewers in 2022, his only full season as a healthy, everyday player. Though injuries, including a fractured ring finger in July 2023, have limited his production since then, Tellez remains confident in his ability to hit with authority. “My swing feels good, like it did a couple of years ago,” he noted, adding that he’s eager and ready to perform.
At 29 years old, Tellez recorded 13 homers in each of the past two seasons—once with the Brewers in 2023, where he debuted by pitching the final inning of a crucial win, and again with Pittsburgh last year. He was on pace for a 20-homer season in 2023 until a series of forearm and finger injuries sidelined him for six weeks. One particularly frustrating finger injury occurred while he was shagging fly balls before a game in Cincinnati, leading to surgery that derailed his rhythm. “That one sucked,” Tellez admitted, “It really took a toll, and trying to come back made it even worse.”
After a rough start to 2024, Tellez found a spark during a stretch with the Pirates, hitting 11 homers in 203 at-bats with a .788 OPS in his final 68 games. However, the promising run ended on a sour note when the Pirates released him in late September, narrowly missing a bonus trigger. “You can use it as motivation, put a chip on your shoulder,” he said, reflecting on the setback. “But ultimately, it came down to me not playing good enough. It’s a business—they made a business decision.”
Now with the Mariners, Tellez has been working closely with hitting coach Edgar Martinez, whose emphasis on the mental aspects of hitting has proven invaluable. “He’s like an open book with hundreds of chapters,” Tellez remarked. “Just picking his brain as much as you can—dealing with a Hall of Famer like him is only going to benefit you.” With his combination of power and hard-earned experience, Tellez is poised to make an impact in Seattle, offering the Mariners both on-field production and the leadership necessary to guide a young, talented roster.
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