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SAN FRANCISCO -- For two weeks, Rowdy Tellez has been in search of something to boost his confidence. Perhaps a few quality swings, a hard-hit ball put in play, or a base hit to spark his offensive output.
Tellez, mired in a 2-for-28 slump since putting together a two-hit performance against the Phillies on April 14, needed to see the results he was able to put forth over the course of two games against the Giants this weekend.
An encouraging showing on Saturday included Tellez's first base hit in a week, in addition to an RBI on a sacrifice fly that tied the game in the seventh inning of an eventual 4-3 extra-inning victory. Then came a two-hit effort -- his first since the aforementioned outing in Philadelphia -- in the Pirates' 3-2 setback at the hands of the Giants at Oracle Park Sunday afternoon.
"When you're putting the ball in play and feeling like you're taking good swings at good pitches, it's always going to boost that confidence up," said Tellez, who is still slashing just .205/.292/.269 with one home run and 21 strikeouts in 78 at-bats through 29 games this season. "I think, like I said, it's a long way, but I'm not as far off as I feel and not as far off as people think I am. So, I think I'm just going to be ready to go whenever I do pull the trigger and take the swings. Just make sure that they're the right pitches and put good swings on them."
Even more promising for Tellez was the fact that both of his hits in Sunday's series finale were for extra bases. Entering the game, he had just one extra-base hit all season -- a three-run home run in the fourth game of the Pirates' season-opening series against the Marlins.
Tellez hit a double into left-center field off Giants starter Keaton Winn to put a pair of runners in scoring position in the fifth. That hit was notable, as it was followed by an RBI groundout off the bat of Jared Triolo. Tellez walked in the seventh and then lined another double into right-center field off closer Camilo Doval in the ninth. He later scored to cut the lead to one on an RBI single by Triolo.
“Good swings, good at-bats," Derek Shelton said. "He had the left-on-left walk and then the two doubles that he squared up, and I think the good thing was to see him be in the middle of the field. He hit the first one to left-center and then the second one there to right-center, so it’s good to see him back in the middle of the field. It looks like there is more confidence in the takes, which a couple of hits, a couple good at-bats will do that.”
Tellez hopes the quality of the at-bats he was able to have over the last two days will lead to an increase in his offensive production going forward.
"I think some of the balls just aren't falling my way, but it happens. It's 27 games, so it's a long season," Tellez said. "I think it'll get better. But it feels good to find some barrels and be able to run around."
The Pirates as a whole could use an uptick in productivity at the plate, as they have struggled to produce for a stretch that dates back to that series split with the Phillies.
Their constant inability to come up with a timely hit and generate run production for a competent starting rotation was put on full display in their series loss to the Giants, one in which they scored six runs while allowing nine. Take away the back-to-back home runs hit by Bryan Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes Saturday, and the Pirates scored just one other run on an actual hit: Triolo's RBI single in the ninth on Sunday. After being shut out in the series opener, the other two runs scored on Tellez's sac fly Saturday and the groundout by Triolo on Sunday.
“We just gotta keep going," Shelton said. "We’re still in April. We’ve gotta get some guys to get their footing a little bit, and we’re slowly getting there. It’s just we need to get there a little bit faster.”
Tellez reiterated that it's a long season. As frustrating as this current stretch of 10 losses in 13 games is for the players in the clubhouse, there is hope that Tellez and the other cold bats can eventually start to heat up.
"You go through ups and downs, peaks and valleys. Obviously, you want to ride the hot streaks and ride those peaks and get out of those valleys as fast as you can, but sometimes you run into some good pitching and you just don't feel good in the box," Tellez said. "I don't think any of us would say we're at our best right now. So, I think as we keep going and we get going, more guys in position to score and let our guys when we're feeling good, we're all going to be better. I think it's just little by little, game by game."
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TODAY'S BEST
ESPN Predicts Mets-Twins Trade One Week Before Deadline
The New York Mets are a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East, but their pitching staff is still injury-ravaged despite the recent returns of Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Brandon Waddell (hip), Dedniel Nuñez (elbow), Max Kranick (flexor), Paul Blackburn (shoulder), Tylor Megill (elbow), Griffin Canning (Achilles), Drew Smith (elbow), A.J. Minter (lat), Danny Young (elbow), and Christian Scott (elbow) are alll on the Mets' IL. The MLB Trade Deadline is July 31 at 6 p.m. EST, so the front office has one week to add healthy arms from around the league this season. ESPN's David Schoenfield predicted on Thursday that New York would trade for a Minnesota Twins reliever. "One guarantee of the trade deadline: The Mets will add to the bullpen, probably with more than one trade. Though the rotation still ranks fifth in ERA, that was built off a hot start," he wrote. "More importantly, the only Mets starter to complete six innings since June 7 has been David Peterson. As a result, manager Carlos Mendoza has run relievers Reed Garrett, Huascar Brazoban, Jose Butto and Ryne Stanek into the ground. The bullpen had a 2.78 ERA through May, but that figure is over 5.00 since the beginning of June (ranking near the bottom of the majors)." "The Twins have two high-profile relievers in [Jhoan] Duran and [Griffin] Jax, both of whom are under team control through 2027, so they'll be much more expensive than your usual short-term relievers if the Twins decide to trade one or both," he continued. "Duran would be harder to deal -- but bring more in return -- so we'll say Jax will go. Don't be fooled by his 4.09 ERA: He has 68 strikeouts and 12 walks in 44 innings with a 97-mph heater. He's an elite strikeout reliever, the type you want on the mound in October." The Mets are hot despite their injuries, as they're on a four-game winning streak and just swept the Los Angeles Angels. Next up is a road trip against the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. New York right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48 ERA) will face Giants right-hander Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08 ERA) on Friday.
‘In What World Does This Make Sense?????’: Oilers and $63M Forward
According to some, throw out the idea that the Edmonton Oilers should pursue Max Pacioretty. A veteran forward who has earned over $63 million over the course of his NHL career has yet to sign an NHL contract and was recently mentioned in a post by David Staples as a possible fit. In a recent post, the Journal noted, “All of the top NHL unrestricted free agents have already signed contracts, but there’s one big name player still available that makes good sense for the Edmonton Oilers to pursue.” Responses have been varied, with a few quite vocal about the Oilers not following Staples’ advice. “In what world does this make sense?????” writes a commenter on a recent post for The Hockey Writers. Another commenter wrote, “Pacioretty is a good journeyman player but he is injury prone now, late in his career. Oilers might be lucky to get 40 games out of him. They should look elsewhere instead of taking a chance on Patches.” Tyler Yaremchuk of Oilers Nation chimed in and said, “He scored five goals in 37 games last year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Can’t stay healthy, very old, very slow.” Yaremchuk then went on a rant, listing several Oilers forwards who would be better than Pacioretty. What About Pacioretty on a PTO? Is there any reason that a team that is looking to get younger and faster, and move out depth pieces that were older and less productive than expected, would revert back to last summer’s strategy? It seems like an odd choice on the surface. Something would have to happen that would make giving Pacioretty a look risk-free. That means only a PTO. Even at that point, should he agree, it would require him to be willing to sign a two-way contract for the league minimum.
Bengals finally reach agreement with first-rounder Shemar Stewart
The Cincinnati Bengals have finally reached an agreement with first-round pick Shemar Stewart, putting an end to what became the story of the offseason for the team. Stewart, drafted 17th overall in this year's draft, has finally agreed to a four-year, fully guaranteed $18.97 million deal that includes a $10.4 million signing bonus, according to his agent Zac Hiller of LAA. Now with this deal done, every first-round pick is signed. The road to this deal was a bumpy ride. For months, negotiations between Stewart’s camp and the Bengals front office stalled due to disagreements over contract language, particularly around guarantees. The team pushed to include contract language that could void the deal under certain off-field circumstances, but since other Bengals first-round picks did not face similar terms, Stewart stood firm and refused to sign. Both sides remained firm throughout the offseason, leading to a long standoff and a lot of reports of frustration from both sides. Despite the frustration and disagreement, the Bengals and Stewart’s group continued to engage in conversations, trying to find a resolution to the issue. And finally, after weeks of back and forth and weeks of controversy surrounding what Stewart may be forced to do, both parties appear to have met in the middle and found common ground. For the Bengals, getting Stewart signed and ready for training camp is a major win. Stewart was viewed as a developmental prospect who needed plenty of on-field reps to reach his full potential. Stewart's absence from earlier camps had slowed a lot of his progress. With the contract dispute resolved, he can now focus entirely on gaining important reps and continuing his development over the coming weeks. Now with this contract done and over with, the team can put their full focus on Trey Hendrickson, who is also seeking a long term deal. If the Bengals can get a deal done with Trey before the season kicks off, they would secure their edge-rushing room for not only 2025, but for years beyond. For a team looking to go all in on making the playoffs, signing Stewart was long overdue. Now it will be vital for the team to get Stewart up to speed with the rest of the roster, and allow him to get as many reps as possible before the 2025 season begins.
Davante Adams discusses time with Jets, Aaron Rodgers reunion
The reunion between quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Davante Adams in 2024 was brief. After nearly two and a half years apart, the longtime Green Bay Packers duo attempted to rekindle their connection with the New York Jets. Adams worked his way to the Jets early in the 2024 season, dealt from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick in October. While the chemistry between them wasn't bad, the results spoke otherwise, as everything spiraled out of control in New York, ending in a 5-12 season. The star receiver was released by the club in March before joining the Los Angeles Rams in free agency, while Rodgers was handed the same fate, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in June. Adams was asked about Rodgers being his opponent again during an appearance on the "Up and Adams" show on Friday. “Aaron’s got to be happy. I mean, I’m happy for him. We both, we got to try it again together and gave that another shot. That stone wasn’t left unturned; we did what we had to do, and it just obviously didn’t work. Just like for me, I wish him nothing but luck, and I know he’s going to go out there and ball out too,” Adams said. Adams wound up amassing 67 receptions, 854 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games as a Jet with Rodgers, per ESPN stats, averaging 77.6 yards per game, much higher than his previous season in Las Vegas. Two of the legendary quarterback's four NFL MVPs were won with Adams being his top target from 2020 to 2022. At their best, they were borderline unstoppable, though postseason shortcomings haunted them in the end. There's no doubting how good a QB-WR duo these two were in Green Bay; however, all that occurred in New York made it obvious that a change was necessary. The Rodgers-led Steelers and Adams and the Rams will have plenty of eyeballs on them in 2025. Unfortunately for fans, the two teams don't play each other this season... unless they find a way to meet up in San Francisco for Super Bowl LX in February.
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