Yankees Trade Prospect Gage Ziehl to White Sox for Veteran Outfielder Austin Slater
So here's the latest move making noise just ahead of the MLB trade deadline. The New York Yankees have acquired veteran outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for pitching prospect Gage Ziehl . It’s one of those under-the-radar deals that could end up paying off quietly, especially for a team like the Yankees that’s clearly fine-tuning its depth.
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Slater, who’s now 33, is known as a right-handed hitter who crushes left-handed pitching. This season, he’s posted an OPS of .859 and a slugging percentage north of .520 when facing southpaws—those are solid numbers for a platoon or bench bat. Overall, in 51 games, Slater has hit .236 with a .299 on-base percentage and .423 slugging, along with five home runs and 11 RBIs. He hasn’t had a massive role, but when used in the right matchups, he’s proven effective.
The Yankees are expected to use him as a potential left field option, especially as a complement to Jasson Dominguez , their young switch-hitter who’s had some trouble from the right side. So it’s a tactical fit more than anything, giving the Yankees another veteran who can jump in when needed without disrupting chemistry or needing everyday reps.
On the flip side, the White Sox receive Gage Ziehl , a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher who’s spent this season across three different levels in the Yankees’ farm system. MLB Pipeline had him ranked as the No. 18 prospect in their organization. He’s put together a combined 4.15 ERA with 70 strikeouts in just over 82 innings. Most of those came with Class A Tampa before he was moved to Hudson Valley, with a short stint in Double-A Somerset as well.
Ziehl’s upside lies in his raw stuff and competitiveness—he was a fourth-round pick in 2024 out of the University of Miami. Interestingly, he was originally drafted by the Cubs back in 2021 but chose not to sign. The White Sox are clearly thinking long-term with this trade. They're adding youth and arms as they continue to rebuild and plan for the future.
All in all, this is a classic deadline deal. The Yankees pick up a situational bat in Slater who can help them now, while the White Sox add a young arm with room to grow. It may not make the front page like some blockbuster, but this kind of smart roster management can make a big difference down the stretch.
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