Pirates Cut Rowdy Tellez Four PAs Short Of Bonus

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Pittsburgh Pirates released Rowdy Tellez prior to Tuesday\'s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The first baseman entered the day four plate appearances shy of a $200,000 bonus. With less than a week left in the regular season, the Pirates have been eliminated from playoff contention.

General manager Ben Cherington said the bonus had \"zero factor\" in the decision to cut ties with Tellez, who had become a fan favorite in Pittsburgh during a summer surge. He said it was \"a difficult part of the business.\"

\"We feel like we gave Rowdy lots of opportunity here this year,\" Cherington said. \"To his credit, he fought through some difficult times earlier in the year and fought his way out of it. Had periods of success and periods of frustration. This is just where we got to in the season.\"

Via ESPN

[Raptors Realtor]

4 plate appearances short of a $200k bonus, and less then a week left in the regular season and GM Cherrington said the bonus had nothing to do with the decision... At least be honest, and say it was a business decision, obviously this had everything to do with the owner not wanting to pay the $200k.