Pirates finalize deal with Tellez, acquire Olivares from Royals

Published Dec. 15, 2023 7:45 p.m. ET

Associated Press

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.

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.

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.

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