Yankees acquire outfielder Austin Slater from White Sox, add another righty bat

Gary Phillips, New York Daily News on Jul 30, 2025

Published in Baseball

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NEW YORK — The Yankees have traded for another hitter.

The team officially acquired Austin Slater from the White Sox for pitching prospect Gage Ziehl on Wednesday. The YES Network’s Jack Curry first reported the deal.

Slater has played all three outfield spots, as well as some first base in his career. The 32-year-old hit .236 with a .721 OPS, five home runs and 11 RBIs over 51 games for Chicago this season.

While those overall numbers are nothing special, the righty-swinging Slater has an .859 OPS against lefties. All five of his homers are against southpaws.

Slater also owns a .798 OPS against left-handers for his career.

With the Yankees having already acquired another weapon against lefties in the right-handed Amed Rosario, Slater gives the team some depth and flexibility in the outfield. He could share time with Jasson Domínguez in left field or play right while Aaron Judge is on the injured list and DH’ing when he returns.

At the time of publication, it was unclear who Slater will replace on the active roster. The Yankees could move on from Oswald Peraza, but he’s the only sure-handed backup shortstop on the roster with Anthony Volpe struggling in the field and Rosario limited defensively.

The Yanks could also demote or trade seldom-used receiver J.C. Escarra if they feel Ben Rice can consistently handle backup catching duties.

“I believe that if he was in the right situation, I really think he could be an everyday catcher, both defensively and offensively,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of Escarra on Wednesday.

A nine-year veteran, Slater has also played for the Giants, Reds and Orioles. He’s a career .250 hitter with a .727 OPS, a 103 wRC+, 45 home runs and 182 RBIs.

Ziehl, meanwhile, was a fourth-round pick out of Miami in 2024.

The 22-year-old right-hander has pitched at Single-A, High-A and Double-A this season. While he’s spent most of his time at Single-A, Ziehl has a 4.15 ERA, 14 walks and 70 strikeouts over 82 1/3 total innings and 16 games (15 starts).

“He can pitch,” Yankees director of amateur scouting Damon Oppenheimer said during spring training. “Not a pure overpowering high velocity guy, but still 92-95 with sink for ground balls and now some ride for chase up top. Good slider and change-up that can get weak contact and get under bats for miss. He usually has quality command.”

With another supplemental hitter added to the mix — the Yankees also acquired Ryan McMahon to be their primary third baseman — the team must focus on pitching before Thursday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline. That’s especially true in the bullpen, where controllable arms are coveted.

The Bombers could use some rotation help too, though Luis Gil is expected to come off the IL on Sunday.