After the Pirates were essentially knocked out of playoff contention in 2024, the biggest piece of negative PR that surrounded them was the release of Rowdy Tellez just before he reached a performance bonus. A similar situation occured again in Pittsburgh this week, as Andrew Heaney was transferred to the bullpen just one inning away from a $50,000 bonus. After two outings following that semi-controversial decision, Heaney did obtain his first level of bonus, but accrued it in the absolute worst way possible.
Unsurprisingly, immediately after passing the 120-inning threshold, Heaney was ... DFA'd, keeping him from passing 130, 140, or any other innings pitched level with monetary ties.