José Tena – Washington Nationals Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

José Tena is a promising young infielder who made his MLB debut with Cleveland on August 5, 2023. He was born on March 20, 2001, in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.

Tena signed as an amateur in 2017 and made his way to the major leagues in just a few years. José Tena currently plays for the Washington Nationals on a one-year contract worth $762,400, and his net worth sits around $400,000.

The Nationals picked him up in a notable trade. Even though he wasn’t the headliner, his MLB-ready skills made him an appealing choice for Washington. He’s part of a new wave of Dominican talent making noise in Major League Baseball.

Tena’s contract gives the rebuilding Nationals an affordable option. The team seems interested in seeing more from him for 2025, especially after his performance down the stretch. He’s still young, with plenty of room to grow, and his current salary could be just the start of bigger things for him financially.

Early Life and Background

José Luis Tena was born on March 20, 2001, in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic. His rise from a small Dominican town to professional baseball shows a mix of natural talent and years of hard work.

Family and Upbringing

Tena grew up in San Cristobal, a city that’s produced plenty of baseball players in the Dominican Republic. Like a lot of Dominican kids, he got into baseball early, where the game is both a national pastime and a shot at a better life.

He’s kept most details about his family private, but it’s obvious that the people around him supported his baseball dreams. In many Dominican families, baseball isn’t just a sport—it’s a tradition.

San Cristobal’s baseball culture probably shaped a lot of his early development. Those casual games on local fields? They became his training ground.

Amateur Baseball Experience

Before he turned pro, Tena honed his skills in the Dominican amateur baseball system. These years helped him become the infield prospect who caught the eye of MLB scouts.

Cleveland signed him on July 2, 2017 as an amateur free agent, giving him a $400,000 signing bonus. That’s a pretty clear sign they believed in his potential.

He probably trained at one of the baseball academies in the Dominican Republic, where baseball lessons go hand-in-hand with basic education. These places get young players ready for life—and baseball—in the U.S.

Tena’s defense up the middle stood out when he was an amateur. Scouts noticed, and that’s a big reason he landed an international contract.

Professional Baseball Career

José Tena’s career so far has been all about steady growth and seizing opportunities. He’s worked his way from international signing to the big leagues, showing off defensive versatility and promise as an infielder.

Debut and Early Years

Tena started his pro journey when he signed with Cleveland on July 2, 2017 as an international free agent. He climbed through Cleveland’s minor league system, showing off his glove at several infield spots.

The Guardians liked his ability to play all over the infield. He looked good at shortstop, but he also handled second and third base when needed.

Cleveland put Tena on their 40-man roster on November 19, 2021. That move protected him from the Rule 5 Draft and signaled the team’s faith in his future.

Major League Teams

Tena made his MLB debut on August 5, 2023, with the Cleveland Guardians. The team needed infield depth, and Tena got his first shot at the majors.

After his stint in Cleveland, he moved to the Washington Nationals. The Nationals, who are rebuilding, have given Tena more regular playing time.

He signed a one-year deal for $762,400 with Washington, which is pretty standard for a young player still proving himself.

The trade to Washington has opened up a clearer path for him to get regular at-bats and field time.

Notable Achievements

Tena’s still early in his major league career, but he’s already shown the defensive flexibility that made him a sought-after prospect. He can play shortstop, second base, and third base, giving his managers options.

In the minors, he flashed some power and speed. Those skills are starting to show up in the big leagues, though he’s still working on being more consistent.

Honestly, just making it to the majors is a big accomplishment for Tena. His journey from international signing to MLB player took years of work and a lot of determination. He’s adapted well, moving from Cleveland’s system to Washington.

Current Rotation and Role

With the Nationals, Tena gets steady chances to contribute in the infield. Because the team’s rebuilding, he’s getting valuable big league experience.

He mostly works as a utility infielder, moving between shortstop, second base, and third depending on what the team needs. That flexibility is a real asset for the Nationals.

Tena bats left-handed, which adds some balance to the lineup. He’s still figuring out how to handle major league pitching, but the Nationals seem committed to helping him develop.

If he keeps producing, Tena could carve out a bigger role. With a net worth around $400,000, he’s plenty motivated to keep improving and lock down a more permanent spot.

Contract Details and Career Earnings

José Tena’s professional journey has taken him from his first deal in Cleveland to his current spot with the Nationals. His contracts and earnings show his growth and rising value in MLB.

Contract Terms and Length

Tena’s pro career began when he signed with Cleveland on July 2, 2017 as an amateur free agent. That first contract kicked off his development in pro baseball.

After moving up through the minors, Cleveland added him to their 40-man roster on November 19, 2021.

Cleveland re-signed him on March 23, 2023. He made his MLB debut on August 5, 2023.

Right now, Tena plays under a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals for the 2025 season. This marks a new chapter in his career.

Salary Progression

Tena’s salary has climbed as he’s proven himself in the majors. His current deal with the Nationals pays $762,400 for one year, all guaranteed. That’s a big jump from minor league pay.

The average annual value (AAV) of his contract is $762,400. For a player born on March 20, 2001, he’s just getting started in terms of earning potential.

So far, his career earnings have pushed his net worth to about $400,000.

Bonuses and Incentives

Exact details about bonuses in Tena’s current contract haven’t been made public. MLB deals often include performance bonuses for things like All-Star nods, Gold Gloves, or hitting certain stats.

Because Tena plays third base, second base, and shortstop, he might have position-specific incentives. Teams love that kind of flexibility, so it wouldn’t be surprising.

Young players like Tena usually have contracts that reward improvement and development. If he keeps piling up hits and improves his performance, future contracts could bring bigger bonuses and higher pay.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

José Tena’s finances reflect his status as an up-and-coming MLB player. Most of his income comes from his baseball contract, but there’s more to the story.

Estimated Net Worth

Tena’s net worth is estimated at about $400,000. That number makes sense for someone still early in his MLB career. It’s based on his MLB earnings since his debut in August 2023.

His main source of income is his salary—he signed a one-year, $762,400 contract with the Nationals, which makes up most of his wealth so far.

Born in 2001 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, Tena is just getting started. If he lands longer-term deals down the line, his net worth should rise quickly.

Investments and Endorsements

We don’t know much about Tena’s investments, but most MLB players put money into real estate, stocks, or small businesses. Younger players usually work with financial advisors to get a plan in place early.

Endorsements for new players are usually small at first. Tena’s probably got a few deals with baseball equipment brands, but nothing major yet.

He could see more endorsement opportunities back in the Dominican Republic, where local companies often sign deals with homegrown talent.

Financial Management

Athletes like Tena usually hire financial advisors to help manage their growing assets. These pros help set up budgets, investments, and retirement plans tailored to a ballplayer’s unique career path.

MLB offers financial education programs for rookies. These help players understand contract details, taxes, and long-term planning, which are especially useful for international players like Tena.

When he signed with Cleveland in July 2017, he got a signing bonus. The exact number isn’t public, but that first check probably helped lay the groundwork for his finances before he reached the majors.

Personal Life and Off-Field Activities

Away from baseball, José Tena leads a life that’s about more than just the game. He spends time on community service, has a range of personal interests, and supports environmental causes that tie back to his Dominican heritage.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

Tena has really made a name for himself as a community advocate since he joined the Washington Nationals.

He jumps right into the team’s youth baseball clinics and works hands-on with underprivileged kids in the D.C. area. You can tell he wants them to fall in love with the game and sharpen their skills.

His roots matter a lot to him.

He keeps supporting baseball development programs back in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic—his hometown.

Tena was born in San Cristobal on March 20, 2001, and he hasn’t lost sight of where he came from.

In the off-season, he heads home and hosts free baseball camps for local kids.

He brings equipment and coaches them, offering things they might not get otherwise.

A few young players have even landed chances to train at better facilities because of his efforts.

Hobbies and Interests

When he’s not playing, Tena dives into a bunch of interests that help him keep his balance.

He’s a big chess fan and will challenge teammates to matches during road trips. Maybe it sounds odd, but he believes thinking a few moves ahead in chess actually helps him on the field.

Music is a huge part of how he unwinds.

Tena taught himself to play guitar and loves strumming Dominican merengue and bachata.

He’s mentioned in a few clubhouse interviews that music is his go-to for decompressing after games.

Cooking is another passion.

He’s earned a bit of a reputation among his teammates for his cooking, especially when it comes to traditional Dominican food.

Cooking keeps him connected to his roots and, honestly, it’s a great way to bring teammates together for relaxed hangouts.

Air Quality Initiatives

You might not expect it, but Tena has really stepped up as an advocate for environmental issues—especially air quality—in both the Dominican Republic and the Washington D.C. area. He got interested in this after he saw people in his hometown struggle with respiratory problems.

He teamed up with local environmental groups and put money into air quality monitoring stations in San Cristobal. These stations collect data that helps people understand pollution levels and the impact on residents, especially kids.

Tena often drops by schools to talk with students about why clean air matters and what simple things they can do to help. Since he’s a professional athlete, his voice carries further, and more people actually pay attention to these environmental concerns.

In the 2024 off-season, he joined a tree-planting project in northeast Washington. He got his hands dirty helping to create green spaces that naturally filter air pollutants in the city.