With the MLB trade deadline fast approaching, the New York Yankees are continuing to shake things up—though not exactly where fans expected.
Despite clear needs in the bullpen, the Yankees have brought in another bat to bolster their lineup, making a deal that raised a few eyebrows on Tuesday.
Yankees Add Austin Slater to Lineup from White Sox
Rather than going for a pitcher, the Yankees traded for outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox.
In exchange, the Sox will receive Gage Ziehl, a minor league pitcher.
Slater becomes the third player to join the Yankees in just a matter of days.
Before this, Ryan McMahon came over from the Rockies to strengthen third base, while Amed Rosario arrived from the Nationals to provide infield support.
The message is clear—the Yankees are building depth fast.
Slater Brings Experience and Versatility to the Outfield
At 32 years old, Slater isn’t new to the big leagues. He hit .236 this season with five home runs and 11 RBIs in 51 games for the White Sox.
While those numbers don’t scream “blockbuster deal,” what makes Slater valuable is his versatility—he’s comfortable in all three outfield spots.
His journey across the MLB has been a whirlwind lately.
He spent over seven years with the Giants, was dealt to the Reds last summer, and now lands in New York—his fifth team in just over a year.
Yankees Playing Catch-Up in the American League East
The Yankees haven’t had the smoothest summer.
Despite a win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, they’ve slipped into second place in the AL East.
They’re now four games behind the division leaders, the Toronto Blue Jays, and every win (and every new player) counts.
Slater Offers Relief as Aaron Judge Deals with Injury
The timing of Slater’s arrival is particularly helpful given that Aaron Judge is sidelined.
The Yankees’ star slugger is dealing with a flexor strain in his elbow after aggravating an issue during a recent game against the Blue Jays.
While initial concerns pointed to potential UCL damage, scans confirmed the strain, and he’s now on the 10-day injured list.
The team will be hoping Slater can help carry some of the offensive load while Judge recovers.
Yankees Still Expected to Add a Pitcher Before Deadline
The clock is ticking—the trade deadline is set for 6pm ET on Wednesday.
And even with Slater now in the fold, all signs suggest the Yankees aren’t done just yet.
A new pitcher could still be on the way, which would finally address their most glaring weakness.
Next Up: Game Three Against the Rays in the Bronx
The Yankees will host the third game in a four-game series against Tampa Bay on Wednesday night in the Bronx.
With Slater potentially making an appearance and more trades possibly in the works, it’s shaping up to be a busy and potentially pivotal day for New York’s playoff push.