The New York Yankees have made another move to fortify their roster ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring veteran outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, July 30. In return, the White Sox received minor league right-handed pitcher Gage Ziehl.
The trade provides the Yankees with much-needed outfield depth, a pressing concern following the recent placement of superstar Aaron Judge on the injured list with a right flexor strain. Slater, 32, is expected to step into a platoon role, bringing a potent bat against left-handed pitching.
In 51 games with the White Sox this season, Slater has posted a .236 batting average, a .299 on-base percentage, and a .423 slugging percentage, good for a .721 OPS. He has hit five home runs and driven in 11 runs over 135 plate appearances. His true value to the Yankees, however, lies in his performance against southpaws. The right-handed hitting outfielder is batting .261 with a .552 slugging percentage against left-handers in 2025. Throughout his nine-year career, he holds a .270/.362/.436 slash line against lefties, according to MLB Trade Rumors. This skill set will complement switch-hitter Jasson Dominguez and Trent Grisham, both of whom have struggled against left-handed opponents.
Slater is playing on a one-year, $1.75 million contract and is set to become a free agent after the season, making this a low-risk rental for the Yankees. This move continues a busy period for General Manager Brian Cashman, who has also recently acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon and utility player Amed Rosario to address roster needs.
Slater has become a journeyman in recent years. After spending over seven seasons with the San Francisco Giants, who drafted him in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB Draft from Stanford University, he had brief stints with the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles in 2024 before signing with the White Sox. Over his career, he has a .250 batting average with 45 home runs and 182 RBIs in 685 games, as detailed by Baseball-Reference.com.
In exchange for the veteran outfielder, the White Sox acquired 22-year-old Gage Ziehl. The right-hander was the Yankees’ fourth-round draft pick in 2024 out of the University of Miami. Prior to the trade, Ziehl was ranked as the 18th-best prospect in the Yankees’ system by Baseball America. In 86.1 innings pitched between Single-A and Double-A this season, he has posted a 4.15 ERA with a 20.2% strikeout rate and a low 4% walk rate. He features a three-pitch mix, including a fastball that can reach 97 mph, a slider, and a changeup.
The trade addresses an immediate need for the Yankees as they navigate Judge’s absence and push for a deep postseason run, while the rebuilding White Sox add a promising young arm to their farm system.
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[…] bolster the outfield, the Yankees acquired veteran Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox on July 30. In exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Gage Ziehl, New York received a […]