The New York Yankees have acquired outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox as part of their roster changes ahead of Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET MLB Trade Deadline. In exchange, the Yankees sent Minor League right-hander Gage Ziehl, who was ranked as the club’s No. 18 prospect by MLB Pipeline, to the White Sox.
Slater, 32, is recognized for his ability to hit left-handed pitching and his flexibility in playing all three outfield positions. He joins the Yankees’ active roster before Wednesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
“I’m really excited about the move,” said manager Aaron Boone. “We’re getting more roster flexibility; complementary guys. He’s swinging the bat really well right now.”
Catcher J.C. Escarra was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as a corresponding move.
This marks the third position player acquisition by New York this week, following trades for third baseman Ryan McMahon and infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario.
Slater expressed enthusiasm about joining New York: “I’m really excited to go play for the Yankees,” he said in Chicago. “It’s one of those teams as a kid you always dream about playing for. They’re right in a race for the playoffs. I’m excited to go there and try to help them out.”
Despite plans to activate right-hander Luis Gil from the injured list for Sunday’s start against Miami, the Yankees are reportedly seeking additional pitching options before the deadline, including both starters and relievers such as David Bednar, Dylan Cease, Jhoan Duran, Andrew Heaney, Mitch Keller and Joe Ryan. The team has also recently scouted Rays left-hander Garrett Cleavinger.
General manager Brian Cashman and other baseball operations staff are working on potential deals at their complex in Tampa.
“I know the boys are in Tampa, grinding away at it, having a million conversations with a lot of balls in the air,” Boone said. “We’ll see. There’s no guarantees. I would love for us to be able to add a piece or two on the mound or in some way, shape or form that would make us a better club.”
Slater has played 685 Major League games with several teams since 2017 and holds a career .250/.339/.388 batting line with an .798 OPS against left-handed pitchers. This season he is earning $1.75 million plus incentives related to games played and plate appearances.
He missed time earlier this year due to a right meniscus tear but returned without further issues since May.
“I missed a little more time than I had hoped, but I thought I came in and did my job,” Slater said. “They signed me to hit left-handed pitchers, and I feel like I’ve done that pretty well this year. There’s still room for improvement always, but I’m excited to bring those skills over to the Yankees and continue that trend.”
Boone indicated that Slater could be used as part of an outfield platoon while Aaron Judge remains on the injured list with a right flexor strain that will likely limit him mostly to designated hitter duties upon return.
With Judge unavailable, much of New York’s outfield bats from the left side—Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham included—while switch-hitter Jasson Domínguez has shown stronger performance hitting lefty than righty this season.
“Having more moving parts gives you some opportunities in key moments of the game to create a platoon advantage,” Boone said.
Ziehl was drafted by New York in 2024 from University of Miami and posted a 4.15 ERA across three Minor League levels this year with 70 strikeouts over just above 82 innings pitched.
