Austin Slater trade: Yankees acquire White Sox outfielder. How does he fit in?
As first reported by Jack Curry of YES Network, the Yankees have traded for Slater, 32, on Wednesday, on the eve of MLB's trade deadline.
Arriving from Chicago, Slater was placed on the Yankees' active roster about an hour before Wednesday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, with lefty-hitting catcher-first baseman J.C. Escarra optioned to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
In exchange for Slater, the Yankees sent minor league pitcher Gage Ziehl to Chicago. Ziehl, 22, has a 4.15 ERA in 16 combined games (15 starts) in 2025 with Class A affiliates Tampa and Hudson Valley.
A fourth-round draft pick out of the University of Miami in 2024, the right-handed Ziehl was ranked as the Yankees' No. 18 prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Before Thursday's 6 p.m. deadline the Yankees will be actively seeking to add a starting pitcher and multiple relievers.
So far, the Yankees' three trades during this period have all been for offensive players – third baseman Ryan McMahon, utility player Amed Rosario and now Slater.
How Austin Slater fits with Yankees
Slater could be used in a left field platoon with switch-hitting Jasson Dominguez, who has struggled hitting against left-handed pitching.
In 77 plate appearances this year against lefty pitching, Slater has posted an .859 OPS. All five of his home runs this season have been hit against left-handed pitching.
"Really excited about the move,'' said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who has "more roster flexibility'' with the acquisitions of Slater and Rosario, who "both hit left-handed pitching really well.
"And he's swinging the bat really well right now,'' Boone said of Slater's .853 OPS over his last eight games, since July 13.
Boone did not dismiss the idea of a platoon situation in left field. "We haven't had that luxury here a lot of years,'' said Boone, who could also play Rosario at third base over the lefty-hitting McMahon against left-handed starters.
Slater is mainly a corner outfielder but has appeared in center field (two games) and at first base (one game) with the White Sox this season.
Currently, the Yankees are playing without slugging MVP captain and right fielder Aaron Judge (right flexor strain), who might be ready to come off the 10-day injury list next week - but only in a designated hitter capacity at first.
Overall, Slater is batting .236 with a .721 OPS in 51 games this year. He missed time earlier this year due to a meniscus tear to his right knee.
Since the opening of the 2024 season, Slater has played with four clubs, the Giants, Reds, Orioles and White Sox.
To add Slater on the 40-man roster, the Yankees transferred Clarke Schmidt (elbow surgery) to the 60-day IL.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Austin Slater trade: Yankees acquiring White Sox outfielder
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