The New York Yankees have traded for outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox, per reports. Gage Ziehl, a righthanded pitcher out of the University of Miami who was the Yankees’ fourth round pick in 2024, is reportedly heading to Chicago. Ziehl is the #18 prospect in the Yankees’ system, per BA.
This is a minor deal, and not something I’d normally write up, except that Slater is someone I imagine the Texas Rangers had some interest in and likely inquired upon. Slater is a righthanded platoon
bat who primarily is a corner outfielder, but who has played some center field as well. He is slashing .261/.338/.522 against lefties this season, and for his career has a .270/.362/.436 slash line against lefthanded pitchers.
Slater is also making just $1.75 million this year — meaning he’s owed about $600K for the rest of the season — and spent his first three seasons playing for Bruce Bochy.
Slater had a bad 2024 season, spending time with the Giants, Reds and Orioles, slashing .209/.321/.266 in all, and .188/.310/.231 against lefties. A free agent after the 2024 season, Slater had to take a pay cut and sign with the White Sox, for whom he’s had a decent bounceback campaign.
