A righthanded hitting platoon bat who would presumably have been on the Rangers’ radar is heading to New York
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.