The New York Yankees acquired outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, a move designed to strengthen their roster ahead of the trade deadline, particularly with star Aaron Judge on the injured list. In exchange, the White Sox received minor league pitcher Gage Ziehl.
Slater, 32, provides the Yankees with a much-needed right-handed bat specializing in hitting left-handed pitching. While batting .236 overall in 51 games this season, Slater has excelled against left-handers, posting a .261 average and an .859 OPS. All five of his home runs have come in just 77 plate appearances against southpaws.
“Really enjoyed my time here and met some incredible people,” Slater said of his tenure with the White Sox. “But then also really excited to go play for the Yankees. One of those teams as a kid you always dream about playing for. And they are right in a race for the playoffs. Excited to go there and try to help them out.”
The acquisition addresses a significant gap for the Yankees, whose outfield currently lacks a primary right-handed hitter. With Judge sidelined by a flexor strain, left-handers Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham have been starting, while switch-hitter Jasson Dominguez has struggled from the right side of the plate. Slater is expected to see significant playing time against left-handed starters.
The Yankees hope Judge can return in early August to serve as the designated hitter. In preparation for Judge’s potential absence from the field, regular DH Giancarlo Stanton has begun taking reps in right field for the first time since 2023.
Slater, who missed over a month earlier this season with a torn meniscus, is on a one-year, $1.75 million contract, making him a rental player before he enters free agency. This is the latest stop for the well-traveled veteran, with New York becoming his fifth team in just over a year.
To create a spot on the active roster, the Yankees optioned catcher J.C. Escarra to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
This trade is the latest in a series of moves by the Yankees, who have also recently acquired utility player Amed Rosario and third baseman Ryan McMahon. Sources indicate the team remains active in the market for both starting and relief pitching ahead of Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline.
Ziehl, 22, was a fourth-round draft pick by the Yankees in 2023. The right-hander has a 4.15 ERA across 16 appearances, primarily as a starter, at three minor league levels this season.
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