Pirates finalize deal with Tellez, acquire Olivares from Royals

By: The Associated Press Posted: 6:46 PM CST Friday, Dec. 15, 2023

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rowdy Tellez and the Pirates finalized their $3.2 million, one-year contract on Friday, when Pittsburgh also acquired outfielder Edward Olivares from the Kansas City Royals for minor league outfielder Deivis Nadal.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/12/2023 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tellez, a first baseman and designated hitter, can earn $800,000 in performance bonuses as part of the deal.

Olivares, 27, hit .263 with 12 homers and 36 RBIs last season. He has a .261 average with 24 homers and 73 RBIs in parts of four seasons with San Diego (2020) and the Royals.

FILE- Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rowdy Tellez pitches during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sept. 22, 2023, in Miami. Tellez signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, to fill a void at first base. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

The 21-year-old Nadal hit .212 with eight homers, 39 RBIs and 33 stolen bases in 101 games for Class A Bradenton last season.

The 28-year-old Tellez hit .215 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs for Milwaukee in 2023. The left-handed batter is a career .233 hitter in six seasons with Toronto and Milwaukee.

Right-hander Roddery Muñoz was designated for assignment by the Pirates.

The Pirates entered the offseason in need of help at first base. They began 2022 with Carlos Santana at the position before sending him to Milwaukee at the trade deadline. Connor Joe and Jared Triolo saw time at first, among others, over the final two months of the season.

Tellez should find the 21-foot-high Clemente Wall in right field at PNC Park inviting. He is a career .277 hitter at the ballpark, with five home runs and 20 RBIs in 21 games.