The Yankees have upgraded their bench and added some outfield depth, announcing Tuesday that they’ve acquired outfielder Austin Slater from the White Sox. The Yankees are sending minor league right-hander Gage Ziehl back to Chicago in return. It’s a one-for-one swap.
Slater, 32, is a reserve outfielder who’s played all three spots and posted good numbers against left-handed pitching — both in 2025 and throughout his nine-year career in the majors. He’s hitting .236/.299/.423 in 135 plate appearances this year, including .261/.338/.552 versus left-handers. In 1006 career plate appearances versus lefties, the righty-swinging Slater is a .270/.362/.436 hitter.
Slater is playing the season on a one-year, $1.75MM deal, though he’s already tacked on $100K worth of incentives based on games played and plate appearances. He could feasibly tack on another $175K by reaching 75 games played and 200 plate appearances. He’ll be a free agent at season’s end.
Though he’s not likely to step into an everyday role, Slater is an affordable means of complementing switch-hitting left fielder Jasson Dominguez, who’s slashing .284/.354/.456 versus right-handed pitching but just .207/.286/.299 versus left-handed opponents. Much the same way that the Yankees acquired Amed Rosario to platoon with new third baseman Ryan McMahon, Slater can share time with Dominguez moving forward.
The Yankees are currently without MVP candidate Aaron Judge, who was recently placed on the injured list due to a forearm strain. A precise timetable for a return remains unclear, but it’s expected Judge will be limited to DH work when he initially returns. Dominguez, Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger will be the primary outfield trio while Judge is on the mend. Grisham, like Dominguez, struggles against left-handed pitching.
Ziehl, 22, was the Yankees’ fourth-round pick in 2024. He’s spent the bulk of the year in A-ball but was just bumped up to Double-A. The Miami product has posted a combined 4.15 ERA with a 20.2% strikeout rate and 4% walk rate in 86 1/3 innings. Baseball America ranked Ziehl 18th among Yankees prospects on their midseason update of the system just last week. He’s a three-pitch starter whose fastball can climb to 97 mph. Ziehl pairs that pitch with a slider and changeup that both draw average or better grades.
Why??? I thought Rosario was right-handed backup. Why not give Pereira a chance
For a case of Bazooka, why not?
Nice little return for the Sox.
Not really.
Agreed. Slater has turned into a journeyman and Ziehl is better than a lottery ticket. Even if he fizzled out, it was a worthwhile gamble from the Sox’s perspective.
Last year’s 4th round pick that’s pitched well enough to be promoted two levels in his first season. He has a solid starter profile.
I’d say that’s a really good return for Austin Slater. Nothing against him but he’s a platoon guy. Having a good year though.
Ziehl certainly wasn’t a case of Bazooka….this is how the Yankees always gut their minors of viable pitching…..typical Cash…
Ziehl is the courier for the case of Bazooka.
Cuz he’s more than likely still a quad A bat. If you are going to K like pereira does you need to hit homers like spencer jones. Slater is a professional that upgrades the roster in general and the lineup vs lefties immediately
In fairness to Pereira he is having a good year in AAA:
.252/352/.508/.859 with 19 hrs.
most AAAA players do… big jump between AAA and MLB pitching
Because Pereira can’t hit major league pitching.
Ding ding ding. Joe gets it.
@Joe That hasn’t stopped them from utilizing Volpe and Peraza.
True but they have better options in the outfield.
Austin Slater can’t hit major league pitching, either.
But but story says otherwise. 261/.338/.552
Do you read or just drivel
That’s only vs LH. Actually, he’s hitting…
.236/.299/.423
So, he can hit SOME major league pitching. Just not all.
You’re right. I think he is in the running for AL MVP.
Hes not going to be playing against righties. How dumb can most of your commenters be?
Over 70% of MLB pitchers are right-handed. So, less than 30% of the time, Austin Slater is a platoon option. I’m sure his right-handed bat will neutralize Crochet in the playoffs!
Hearing Pereira is likely being traded in a package somewhere else.
Because he stinks
Pereira can’t hit is the biggest issue. He’s Estevan Florial 2.0. Way too many k’s.
When you have a .859 ops you can K a lil bit
Hits lefties.
So does Luis Robert. Curious to see where he lands.
Good platoon option. Nothing special
Solid. He’s crushing lefties again and will play every day for us vs LHP. More than half the lineup stinks vs lefties and currently 2/3 of the OF minus judge
859 OPS against LHP, not a bad move to be honest very strategic and also provides depth in the corner OF positions, could have done a lot worse.
Funny how FAN had it before MLBTR
MLBTR is a clearing house of other peoples reports. You shouldn’t expect them to be first.
This. They don’t even try to be first. That’s not what they do.
MLBTR does not subscribe to the Ricky Bobby theory like a lot of sites do…and get it wrong half the time.
Shohei on a plane to Toronto, Arson Judge, etc.
Whether he hits or not, you’re gonna love slates. Great clubhouse guy, and with NY playing below their talent level lately, his temperament will help immeasurably
Exactly what we need. The lineup vs LHP was pathetic and slater and Rosario help a ton
how’s his defense?
Good on Austin, he’s going to a playoff team. He’ll be a good platoon guy for them.
Yankees seem to be raising the floor thus far this deadline.
Not a bad strategy when you have stars who can carry you.
Well they really only have one star and his name is Judge and hes hurt. Buffing up the edges of the fort is nice but theres still major holes in the wall
They need players that can elevate them to the next level and beat good teams, not simply provide league average production
Good sneaky move I wonder who they sent back
Probably Volpe.
White Sox don’t want any of that.
Will also acquire Adrian Houser as well.
Yankees do need pitching help, so maybe?
I would, live arms in general are needed. Pen or rotation
Murray corrected himself, he got Houser and Slater mixed but. No move with Houser yet.
Adrian Houser was supposed to start today but White sox announced it’ll be Tyler Alexander. Might be right, another deal incoming perhaps? .
My bad Houser isn’t traded yet.
Arson Houser.
Aaron Hoser
I would think Tyler Alexander (LHRP) would be of interest to teams too, he has pitched well since June 1st and is on 1yr / 450K dollar contract.
He also has some poor BABIP luck as well.
bwmiller: He’s got to be making 750k which I think is the minimum.
MLB Pipeline just reported that Houser is in this deal as well.
Looks like a mistake.
Big mistake!
Funny thing…
The Yankees have the best team wRC+ vs LHP in MLB. They don’t have Judge now, but still they a bunch of lefty mashers.
And now, they brought in two more.
As a diehard Yankee fan this is shocking to me. I mean goldschmidt is hitting like ted williams vs lhp and a utility man vs rhp. Judge also exists. But the only lefty on the roster that has been hitting lefties that i can think of is bellinger.
Just nit picking here…
Judge…….219 wRC+
Goldy…….211
Bellinger…176
Volpe…….127
Wells…….114
Now Rosario…130
It seems that NY has LHPs handled pretty well, better than any team in MLB.
I guess I think that the Yankees have bigger fishes to Fry than LH perch.
Rosario added because McMahon can’t hit lefties, Slater because Dominguez can’t hit them and since Grisham learned how to hit, he no longer has reverse splits and can’t hit lefties either
I can’t decide if Cashman is playing 4-D Chess and picking up diamonds in the rough who we will squeeze 2-3 WAR out of for half a season each… I don’t know if he’s putting some palatable ‘depth’ options together for a trade package or if he’s making a bunch of low to no impact moves for actual ‘depth’ purposes and nothing more.
I think Cashman is making smart moves at this deadline. They are not a team set up to go all in on someone like Suarez. They’re making moves around the margins and getting help that is controlled beyond this year (McMahon).
I think he’s adding floor to the team and deepening the bench while keeping his powder dry. It’s never been his MO to trade anything valuable for rentals.
They still want to add to the rotation, and I would guess they’re still in on Keller (who Blake can likely turn into a decent #2), and adding guys like this keeps the assets he may need for that kind of trade.
All they need after May ‘26 (after Cole return) is a good 4-5 guy depending on how Gil fares. Schmidt’s return in ‘27 might suggest Keller could be overkill $ wise.
“It’s never been his MO to trade anything valuable for rentals.” Soto excepted. Admittedly a special case.
Gage Ziehl going to Chicago
Lock in the WS now.
I was really hoping for Slater or Bader for the 5th OF position, because if PCA has to miss a few days post-deadline for something they are in serious trouble with Suzuki, Brujan, and Alcantara as the CF options. And Happ is poor against lefties so starting Slater in LF against tougher lefties would have been useful.
Y’all can still grab Bader. I’m happy with slater but i love bader, he’s such a stud. If he wasn’t so injury prone he’d be on a long term deal somewhere
Brick: PCA has been a nightmare in CF recently.
Like I said yesterday I get it. I’d be surprised if there was a HUGE trade for the Yanks. Smaller moves like this makes more sense for their spot right now. In, but not all in.
Salzilla- Like I said earlier? Like you have any importance? Lol.
I was just mentioning that I said it yesterday so not sound repetitive to those that saw my comment.
Do YOU feel that you accomplished anything of importance by commenting here?
You’re fine
Some people just like to be negative and pick fights on the internet.
You wanna vote on here? I didn’t think so. Good day!
Lolz, what are you even on, kid? Please stop wasting my time. I can’t believe you’d even comment on a phrase said in passing. GOOD DAY, for real.
Wowsers you have have ONE fan on here! Lol. Kid? Your buggin ace.
Oh you’re NOT a kid? Well then I just feel bad for you. Seeya!
Ah, that Austin Slater dude.
Austins? Later dude. 🤣
This is just the Kenyan Middleton trade all over again
I wonder if this move leads to either Grisham or Domingues getting traded? If not there will be a logjam once Judge is back
Hah would be such a Yankees move to trade the only young player demonstrating a modicum of replacement level talent for aging vets. I’m so done with this team it’s insane.
I’m not saying a Dominguez trade is a guarantee but they have been rumored to be shopping him. If he goes in a package for a stud RP like Duran, I wouldn’t be against it. Re-signing Belli or signing Tucker will make Dominguez expendable in the offseason anyway
He’s an obvious platoon partner for either. I’d start slater vs lhp over jasson easily and he can spell grisham also
That works for now but they’ll need a roster spot for Judge when he’s ready. I assume Peraza gets DFA’d to make room for Slater. Then someone else will have to go to make room for Judge
I was just thinking that like who’s the odd man out when judge comes back? I wonder if there’s another move coming. Our bench when judge is back, to simplify I’ll just put stanton on the bench, is slater, rosario, stanton, escarra, rice, peraza. Let’s say vs a rhp its grish Dominguez belli, RM volpe jazz goldy,wells and judge. We typically carry 4 bench players so 2 from that first group would have to go. Peraza would be the obvious first but the 2nd is less clear
That’s why I suggested Dominguez or Grisham. Like be available. Possibly Rice and Escarra as well. Though Judge’s injury probably makes a Rice trade less likely. The Yankees wanting to add an impact RP without giving up Lombard, Jones, or Schlittler makes me think Dominguez is available
@Ronk325- What exactly are you looking for as far as a trade? Dominguez isn’t available. It’s definitely possible Grisham is. I doubt it though. Slater is just for defense and speed. Yanks supposedly looking at Gallen,Keller and Heaney. Thinking one. They really like Bednar also. He’s really gonna cost though.
I was thinking Dominguez is getting moved as well. Tho that does put a hole in the OF if he isn’t moved for a better starting OF like a kwan type.
Captain, Dominguez would be moved for pitching in any scenario. The Pirates wouldn’t trade Keller or Bednar to the Yankees without getting Dominguez or Jones back. The Yankees have said Jones isn’t being traded. Dominguez is far from untouchable and word is he’s already being shopped. The Yankees don’t like his defense in LF and he hasn’t hit righties as well as hoped
Ronk- only way I would entertain moving Dominguez is if I’m getting Keller, Bednar and O’Neil back in a package. That’s definitely not happening. Pitchers Hess, Warren and Jasson would likely be going back to Pittsburgh. Yanks are a lot higher on the Martian then you are. Trust me. Dominguez is likely staying put.
I never said I was down on Dominguez, I said the Yankees are. They’ve already discussed his name with other teams. Seems pretty clear they’re willing to move him in the right deal
Ronk325: They traded Bednar to the Yankees and look who they didn’t get back. 🤣
Some GM you are lol!
Damn, you got me. That was based off of reports at the time, I guess the Pirates got desperate and lowered the ask. I can’t say I’m upset though
Ronk325: Those reports often involve speculation without a lot of actual information.
That’s possible, it’s also possible the Pirates had to drop their ask because other suitors for Bednar like the Phillies, Mets, and Tigers went elsewhere
Ronk325: Don’t hold your breath. Judge could miss a month or more.
The report last night said Judge could be activated next Monday. This is looking like a short IL stint
Ronk325: Could be, unless, if course, he’s not.
The Yankees always publicly downplay any injury to their Great White Hope. It happened two years ago, and he ended up being out for months.
Different injury but same PR tendency.
No. They don’t know Judge’s outfielder status yet.
Judge probably won’t take the field again for a bit but they could still move an OF now. I also wouldn’t rule out Jones being a September call up
Slater is currently the fourth outfielder in case another OF starter goes down. I don’t see Stanton playing the grass unless it’s an emergency. He should do as little running as possible to keep healthy.
Stanton is going to have to see occasional time in the OF even if it’s just for the early innings of a game. Amed Rosario also has experience in the OF. One way or another someone has to clear a roster spot for Judge and the most logical conclusion is a trade
Yawn – these are not pennant winning moves
They actually are…. the best teams acquire good depth to supplement all parts of the roster. It’s not just “hurr durr let’s go acquire big home run bat he is savior…” I’m sure you know so much about roster building
This. The Dodgers are always competitive because in addition to their stars they have a deep bench. The Yankees can’t be having Peraza or Peirera taking at bats in the second half of the year/playoffs.
choof: But the Yankees aren’t the best team.
never said they were
Two complimentary pieces picked up this year by Milwaukee are paying off in a huge way with Priester and Vaughn.
Emilia: Vaughn has been hot for about four games. He’s still the .230 hitter who got dumped by the White Sox.
15 games, actually…. and convenient to ignore Priester
choof: Vaughn is 9 for 16 over the last five games, only playing because Rhys Hoskins is hurt, and he’s still only batting .227.
He’ll turn back into a pumpkin any minute now.
And Priester is a different player having nothing to do with Vaughn.
I see you’re missing the point so I won’t continue to waste my time
Ridiculous reply. Look at Vaughn’s stats in Brewer uniform. He’s hitting 375 as a Brewer. Thats over longer than 4 games.
Emilia: And he’s still only batting .227 overall. That says it all. Pumpkin reversion waiting to happen.
choof: You have no real point.
Sorry that you’re so insistent on being right. But, you’re the only one who believes in your own gibberish.
Hey, I’m not perfect, but at least I’m not you.
At least they are making moves, unlike some teams with big holes that are in playoff contention. Cough, Red Sox, cough. Man something in my throat or something.
Thanks for your ignorance. It’s called depth.
Idk why this fanbase continues to give the Hal/Cashman regime their views or their money. Absolutely nothing will improve until Hal grows a pair, demonstrates a modicum of business and baseball ops acumen and sends Boone and Cash packing 2for1 deal with the Nationals did. Who honestly sees this team beating Detroit or Houston in a best of 7 hell best of 5.
Man, as a Pirates fan I couldn’t imagine a team with a payroll nearing 290M and then complaining that fans shouldn’t go to games. I get it, the team looks worse than other AL contenders on paper but just get to the dance then see what happens. In my lifetime the Pirates got into the playoffs 3 (!!!) times. Be happy your team attempts to compete year in and year out.
Spending without a good eye for talent just gets you the Angels of Anaheim. The Yankees are the AL Angels.
Yankees are having their 6th best attendance in the new park this year
“6th best attendance in the new AWFUL SOULLESS park”, that is.
that actually makes it more noteworthy.
this trade was definitely slanted towards the White Sox benefit. Slater is a meh quad A player at best. I suppose he’s a warm body on the grass but hardly a difference maker.
19th highest average attendance ALL TIME
Huh? Rosario can share time with Dominguez
Would yankees do:
Keller, Bednar, IKF
For Volpe, Spencer Jones, a lotto prospect?
That trade is what would get cashman fired, trading Spencer jones and others for pirates players
Mariners fan, I mean it worked out well when Gerrit Cole was moved.
No
@Macbeth – I’d gladly send Spencer Jones, George Lombard & 4 others for Paul Skenes.
The Pirates wouldn’t do that to begin with lol.
I’d say no based on we didn’t like IKF at SS once already so we wouldn’t just make him the starter again. Before even getting into the other details
if ikf was a plus defender at shortstop i would consider that trade but as it stands probably not
Getz better be walking around with 5 cell phones right now because he has about 5 other guys to trade off today.
Tidy bit of work by Cashman to set the team up for a bigger splash in the rotation/bullpen closer to the deadline.
BrianCashmansBurner: The deadline is less than 30 hours away. Any “closer to the deadline” might be on the other side of it.
i’ll be surprised and disappointed if they don’t add at least 1 impact reliever
42% GB rate? That probably won’t play well in the playoffs.
What a waste of a move. Slater is basically DFA fodder and the Yankees gave a Top 30 prospect for him.
Not many .859 ops guys get dfa
@AI GM – Could have sworn he was DFA’d before. Still a Top 30 prospect for a guy on the short end of a platoon. Would rather that have been a reliever.
Could have been. If you’re a weak platoon it’s what have you done for me lately. As you seen with the Yankees these guys aren’t hard to find.
Not a bad return for a guy who is turning into a journeyman.
Houser pulled from his start?
IDK why the Yankees fan base continues to snub any trade not for a hall of fame player. They needed help against LHP. They got it. They didn’t trade any of the “untouchables” to do it. Adding on the 110% tax won’t exceed the payroll of Pittsburgh. It could save them from putting Stanton in the field when Judge comes back. How is this not a win?
Because our fan base has more casuals than most. I gotta listen to people saying lombard is pushing volpe every day. Lombard is hitting 212 in AA. It’s ridiculous. Slater is an excellent pickup for us and he upgrades our current roster easily vs LHP. He’s a way better option than Dominguez vs lhp
Our fan base also has a lot more entitled whiney ones than most.
Brian Bargainbin strikes again 😂
@Sorinotsori
See what I mean?
And still no Yankee moves for relievers. But once Leiter & Cruz return it’s like two trade additions. (Cashman logic). Meanwhile, they keep blowing games.
Yeah because so many relievers have been moved already. 🙄
All the relievers available have been traded. World series draught continues.
@AIGM – Half the Cardinals bullpen is available (Romero, Helsey, Matz, Maton, Kittredge)
No need to worry yet. Tomorrow is the big action day.
I like this both ways. I think the NYY gave up more in the trade, but Slater is a decent bench piece.
Yankees need to go out and get Iglesias or someone similar to play SS because Volpe is killing them with errors
It’s not like Volpe can’t play defense, he is just slumping. He does have a gold glove at SS.
Volpe has the yips with his glove this season. His D will be fine. Most of his errors are not range-related.
Lol Volpe was 6th in errors in 2023 he didn’t deserve that GG. It should’ve went to Correa who led SS in FLD% and had 12 less errors too. He (Volpe) followed it up with another 6th place finish in errors in 2024. This year he’s on pace to finish 3rd… He’s not just slumping he’s an error machine. Defense doesn’t magically get better with age in most cases either. He’s a glaring liability.
Make sure someone tells bleacher creature that too since he muted me for no reason
The Yankees didn’t give him a GG. The awards are voted on by managers and coaches, with SABR Defensive Index (SDI) metrics incorporated to add a data-driven element to the selection process. I’m sorry you feel slighted by Volpe’s GG, but the team didn’t give it to him. The team is playing terrible defense. I would fire the manager two years ago.
My man went to google AI and copy pasted lol.
I don’t feel slighted, BASEBALL should feel slighted. Dude’s a horrible defender (ring a bell for NY SS’s?) and there’s no beating around that bush
Yeah don’t take my word for it.
Didn’t plan on it
Then why complain?
Could have had ex-Yankee Miguel Andujar for less.
He’s batting .294
Sucks on defense tho. We’re trying to get away from that
Does he have a 859 ops or better?
Sox could’ve done worse. But really, I’m just waiting to see the returns from Robert, Houser, and Tauchman.
Tauchman is unlikely to be traded.
What’s the point?
Big win for Chicago. In a couple years, they are going to be loaded from this prospect dumping ground
Big win? You never even heard of the guy the yankees traded til just now.
Any chance to get prospects for a guy that’s a reserve player is a win
Judge must be hurt more than they are letting on.
Bingo.
Decent point below about “why not give Pereira chance.” I think the answer to that is the Yankees can not afford taking chances with two months left and potentially losing more ground. I’ve liked Pereira, but it seems his growth has peaked and he is what he is. Could be a .750 OPS MLBer on another team. Ziehl was Yanks 4th pick just last year. He hasn’t been as good as Herring (McMahon) and others, but you generally do not want to cash those in for two months of a bench outfielder. However, this is a special case, so I do not hate the move seeing Slater is nearing .900 OPS vs lefties 2025 and .798 for career. Having him and Rosario in (likely) for Dominguez and McMahon helps construct a RLRLR line up. Just looked up his positions, thinking with Rosario letting more balls by than McMahon, would want Bellinger in left. Slater has played LF-RF near equal this year and career. Has most games in CF for career, so I guees he’s decent. If compbining corner outfield to CF, he’s played far more corner, 377, to 235 CF.
Jasson, Trent, Clay
McMahon, Volpe, Jazz, Rice
Wells, Stanton
Goldy, Escarra, Rosario, Slater
Peraza DFA coming. What about when Judge is back? Assume another injury by then? Unless a position player is traded and it all looks like it does above, I think the only “option” is to option Escarra to AAA as wait & hold until there is an injury. Interesting. Could be a deep right handed bench: Stanton, Goldsmith, Rosario, Slater
Goodness
and bellinger destroys lefties
i like this pickup
Yankees have traded three decent young pitchers (and Beeter, a 4th), equating to a significant percentage of their ’23-’24 drafts. Manageable but not sustainable. Sure, new crop coming in to replace. Not that I don’t like the returns in these trades. I guess we’ll find out how much more of the farm piching is depleted over the next 48 as they attempt to build a bullpen worthy if advancing in the playoffs.
You have to trade something to get something. Herring looked very impressive in his first year, outshinning everyone from last year’s class including Hess. Cunningham hurt. Rodriguez-Cruz may one day make the Narvarz trade look great for the Yankees. Lagrange made strides this year, surpassing the injured Lalane as the TALL guy from there INT system to get excited about. I’d like them to hold onto B. Beck albeit he’ll take up a 40-man in ’26. Carr much improved. There are others. Did I miss a major one that has potential? I left Schlittler off because he’s made it across the initial line.
so far they’ve held on to schittler/lagrange/rodriguez-cruz. agree the big question is how much they pay for the bullpen because they need at least 1 high-leverage arm
fair trade for both sides
white sox fans shouldn’t think of ziehl as a lottery ticket there’s real upside there
Backend starter ceiling.
viable backend starters aren’t sexy but every team needs at least one
like plugging portholes on the Titanic
A for Chicago. Can’t expect more for weak platoon.
C NY gave up a pitcher who doesn’t have a high ceiling. Easily replaced..
Not a B- for NYY?
So happy for Austin! Go get em. Still miss you on the Giants.
Austin- yeah baby
Austin- good get for the clubhouse. When things go a but sideways rambunctious: “Oh behave”
Honestly, trade grissom for a relief pitcher, and call up a 4th outfielder, if judge isn’t playing right field by mid August the season is over, it’s time to determine if the Martian is a every day player,
Best of luck “Forever Giant” Austin Slater. Now Slater has a realistic chance of playing in the post season
A combination of Austin Powers and Jack Slater! Wow!
Doval, Ramos and a prospects for Kwan?
With Slater, the Yankees will shag the rest of the league rotten, yeah baby!
Lol
Slater reminds me a lot of Gabe Kapler as a player; hits lefties but can’t hit righties. Has speed but can’t run. Is jacked but has little to no power.
We need left hand bullpen….
Yet again, Cashman with another strange meaningless trade to no where! Not sure how he expects a mediocre OF at best will come in to help the Yankees win a pennant?! A serious head scratcher!