Yankees trade for right-handed OF in White Sox's Austin Slater

 

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The New York Yankees have acquired right-handed outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox in a trade ahead of the MLB deadline on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

In exchange for Slater, the White Sox received minor league right-handed pitcher Gage Ziehl from the Yankees. Ziehl was ranked as the Yankees' No. 18 prospect by MLB Pipeline.

   

The move addresses the Yankees' need for a right-handed bat and outfield depth, especially with Aaron Judge currently on the injured list with a flexor strain. Slater, 32, is known for his strong performance against left-handed pitching, boasting a career OPS of .798 against southpaws. This season, his OPS against left-handers is even higher at .897, with all five of his home runs coming off lefties.

Slater, who signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the White Sox in the offseason, is versatile and can play all three outfield positions. This marks his fifth team in just over a year, having also played for the San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and Baltimore Orioles in 2024.