NEW YORK -- The Yankees continue to tinker with their roster ahead of Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline, acquiring outfielder Austin Slater from the White Sox on Wednesday morning.
New York parted with Minor League right-hander Gage Ziehl (the club’s No. 18 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline) in exchange for the 32-year-old Slater, who has a strong track record against left-handed pitching and can play all three outfield positions.
2025 MLB Trade Deadline: Thursday, 6 p.m. ET
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“I’m really excited about the move,” said manager Aaron Boone, who added that Slater was traveling to New York from Chicago and was added to the Yanks' active roster ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Rays. “We’re getting more roster flexibility; complementary guys. He’s swinging the bat really well right now.”
In a corresponding move, catcher J.C. Escarra was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Slater is the third position player acquired by the Yankees this week, following previous deals to import third baseman Ryan McMahon and infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario.
TRADE DETAILS
Yankees receive: OF Austin Slater
White Sox receive: RHP Gage Ziehl
“I’m really excited to go play for the Yankees,” Slater 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.”
Even with right-hander Luis Gil set to be activated from the injured list for a start Sunday against the Marlins in Miami, the Yankees are seeking pitching help ahead of Thursday’s deadline -- both starters and relievers.
Among the names connected to the Yanks in published reports: Pirates right-hander David Bednar, Padres right-hander Dylan Cease, Twins right-hander Jhoan Duran, Pirates left-hander Andrew Heaney, Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller and Twins right-hander Joe Ryan.
The Yanks have also scouted Rays left-hander Garrett Cleavinger in recent weeks. General manager Brian Cashman and the club’s baseball operations staff continue to huddle at the team’s complex in Tampa, Fla.
“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.”
A career .250/.339/.388 hitter in 685 Major League games with the Giants (2017-24), Reds (’24), Orioles (’24) and White Sox (’25), Slater has a career .798 OPS against left-handed pitching.
He is earning $1.75 million this season, plus incentives related to games played and plate appearances. Slater missed time earlier this season with a right meniscus tear but has had no issues since returning in 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 said he could envision using Slater as part of an outfield platoon, especially with Aaron Judge on the injured list mending a right flexor strain that figures to limit him to duty as a designated hitter upon his return.
With Judge sidelined, the Yankees’ outfield also had become overly left-handed. Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham both bat from the left side, and while Jasson Domínguez is a switch-hitter, he has a .585 OPS batting righty in 2025 (vs. .810 batting lefty).
“Having more moving parts gives you some opportunities in key moments of the game to create a platoon advantage,” Boone said.
Ziehl, 22, was a fourth-round Draft pick by the Yankees out of the University of Miami in 2024. He has recorded a 4.15 ERA with 70 strikeouts and 14 walks over 82 1/3 innings across three Minor League levels in 2025.
Showcasing a sweeping slider as his best pitch, Ziehl profiles as a back-end starter if he reaches his projected ceiling, per MLB Pipeline.