Pirates acquire Edward Olivares from Royals, sign Rowdy Tellez

Field Level Media|published: Fri 15th December, 20:21 2023

Sep 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Edward Olivares (14) bats during the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium. credits: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed first baseman Rowdy Tellez to a one-year contract on Friday and acquired outfielder Edward Olivares from the Kansas City Royals for minor league outfielder Deivis Nadal.

Tellez, 28, played last season for the Milwaukee Brewers, batting .215 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs in 311 at-bats over 105 games. The left-handed slugger missed most of July and August with a right forearm injury.

The Brewers made him a free agent in November. Tellez's contract is worth $3.2 million, according to media reports, and he can earn an additional $800,000 in incentives.

In six seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays (2018-21) and Milwaukee (2021-23), Tellez has a .233/.304/.446 batting line with 92 homers and 263 RBIs in 533 games. He led the Brewers and tied for fifth in the National League with 35 homers in 2022.

Olivares, 27, had a career year in his fourth season in the major leagues. The outfielder set career highs in games (107), hits (93), doubles (23), triples (four), home runs (12), RBIs (36), stolen bases (11) and runs (47). He batted .263.

The Pirates designated minor league right-handed pitcher Roddery Munoz, 23, for assignment to make room for Tellez on the 40-man roster.

—Field Level Media