Rowdy Tellez DFA: Smart Move for Seattle Mariners’ Future

The Seattle Mariners found themselves in a tough spot with Luke Raley coming off the injured list. With only so much room for first basemen, the team had to pick between Rowdy Tellez, Donovan Solano, or Dominic Canzone.

In the end, Tellez—known for his left-handed power—was the one they designated for assignment. That move says a lot about how Seattle thinks about depth, roster tweaks, and faith in their younger guys.

Breaking Down the Mariners’ Decision to DFA Rowdy Tellez

Rowdy Tellez, now 30, brought some muscle to the plate, but his numbers this season just didn’t cut it. Over 62 games, he hit .208 with 11 home runs and a .682 OPS—a real drop-off from his better years.

With Raley back, the Mariners suddenly had too many left-handed first basemen. They needed more variety and flexibility, so they leaned toward players who could offer something different.

Why Rowdy Tellez Was the Odd Man Out

Tellez’s struggles at the plate put him behind Solano and Canzone, who both stepped up offensively. Solano, for example, has hit .323 over his last 15 games, making him a steady right-handed choice at first.

His recent surge, plus his experience as a platoon guy, made Solano hard to let go. He’s just been too useful lately.

Then there’s Dominic Canzone. He’s young, has minor league options, and since his call-up, he’s turned heads with a .259 average and a massive 450-foot homer. The Mariners clearly see something in him.

Sending Canzone down now would’ve killed his momentum and messed with his growth. Why do that when he’s just starting to click?

Roster Flexibility and Positional Depth Were Key

Letting go of Tellez wasn’t only about his stats. The Mariners needed to think big-picture about their roster. Having both Tellez and Raley—two lefty first basemen—just didn’t make sense.

With Raley healthy and ready to contribute, Tellez’s role vanished overnight. By keeping Solano and Canzone, Seattle kept their lineup more balanced and versatile.

Luke Raley’s Return Changes the Equation

Raley coming back really forced Seattle’s hand here. He offers a left-handed bat at first, and the Mariners are hoping he’ll bounce back strong.

With Raley and Tellez overlapping so much, the team had to pick one. Raley’s return basically made that choice for them.

The Mariners’ Vision for Offensive Optimization

Cutting ties with Tellez shows the Mariners want to sharpen their offense. Solano is hot, Canzone’s on the rise, and Seattle’s looking to make the most of every roster spot.

Tellez has the experience, but with Raley back and his own numbers slipping, it just wasn’t enough to keep him around.

Looking Ahead

Seattle seems ready to use their depth as they gear up for the stretch run. By keeping Canzone in the majors, they’re betting on his continued growth—maybe a bit of a risk, but it could pay off big.

Solano keeps holding down the right-handed side at first, while Raley steps into the lefty role. Together, they give the Mariners a strong mix at the plate, and honestly, that’s something to get excited about.

Final Thoughts

The decision to DFA Rowdy Tellez might sting for fans of the veteran slugger. Still, it shows the Mariners want a smarter, more dynamic roster.

This move isn’t just about stats or spreadsheets. Seattle’s front office clearly values efficiency, positional depth, and the promise of its younger players.

Sources: Mynorthwest.com

 
Here is the source article for this story: Why Rowdy’s DFA made most sense for Seattle Mariners