NEW YORK, NY | July 30, 2025 – The New York Yankees have made a proactive move to address their outfield situation, acquiring veteran outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. This trade comes as the Yankees navigate the absence of seven-time MLB All-Star Aaron Judge, who was recently placed on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow flexor strain. While Judge is expected to return to the lineup, it will likely be as a designated hitter, leaving a void in the outfield that Slater can help fill.
In exchange for Slater, the White Sox will receive minor league pitcher Gage Ziehl. The trade provides the Yankees with a versatile, right-handed hitting outfielder who offers immediate depth and strategic advantages.
Slater’s Fit and Impact:
Austin Slater, 32, has played in 51 games this season, boasting a .236 batting average with five home runs and a .721 OPS. His performance against left-handed pitching stands out, where he’s hitting .261 with an impressive .859 OPS and all five of his homers in just 77 plate appearances. This makes him a valuable asset for manager Aaron Boone, particularly given the Yankees’ current outfield lean towards left-handed hitters.
Slater’s versatility is another key benefit; he has started 15 games in right field, nine in left, and one at designated hitter this season. This flexibility provides the Yankees with much-needed coverage, especially if Aaron Judge is limited to designated hitter duties for the remainder of the year upon his return.
With Judge out, the Yankees’ active roster notably lacks a primary right-handed outfielder. Left-handed batters Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger are mainstays, while switch-hitter Jasson Dominguez has struggled from the right side, posting a .585 OPS in 98 plate appearances. Slater is expected to receive starts over Dominguez against left-handed pitchers, optimizing the lineup matchups.
Slater, who signed a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the White Sox last November, is set to become a free agent this offseason, making him a rental acquisition for New York. He missed over a month earlier this season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee but has since returned to action.
This move follows another recent acquisition by the Yankees, who picked up infielder Amed Rosario from the Nationals on Saturday. Rosario also provides Boone with a right-handed bat capable of playing corner outfield, second base, and third base, further enhancing the team’s flexibility and righty-lefty platoon options.
Aaron Judge’s elbow flexor strain, while thankfully not a more severe UCL tear, means he’ll be out at least until early August. The team’s goal is for him to resume light cage work soon, with throwing activities targeted for the August 8-13 window. He is eligible to return from the injured list on August 5, but the team will likely prioritize his healing and limit him to DH duties initially.
The Yankees continue to be active ahead of the upcoming MLB trade deadline, strategically adding pieces to address immediate needs and bolster their roster as they push through the season.