A familiar bat just hit the market, and the Boston Red Sox might want to take notice.
Rowdy Tellez was designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners Friday morning, opening the door to sign on with one of his favorite punching bags.
Tellez has done serious damage against Boston throughout his career, batting .301 with 14 home runs, 29 RBIs and 27 runs scored in 46 games.
At Fenway Park, he’s been even more dangerous, slashing .319 with five home runs, 10 RBIs and a 1.001 OPS in 27 games.
While Abraham Toro and Romy Gonzalez have covered first base admirably for Boston, Tellez brings a proven power profile. The lefty slugger has crushed right-handed pitching in particular, a trait that could assist Boston’s lineup down the stretch.
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Tellez had turned a corner in Seattle after a dreadful start, slugging .484 with 11 homers since mid-April. Though his on-base numbers remain low and defensive limitations are well-known, the raw power is real and comes cheap. He’s owed roughly $800,000 for the remainder of the season.
Boston wouldn’t need to give up much to land him. If he clears waivers, Tellez can elect free agency, which would allow the Red Sox to add him without surrendering a prospect. And given his career numbers at Fenway, it’s not hard to imagine him finding a groove in a ballpark that suits his swing.
The Red Sox have no shortage of left-handed bats, but given his history as a ‘Red Sox Killer,’ Tellez might fit right in.
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