The New York Yankees are having an extremely active trade deadline. Last week, they made a move to fill their biggest hole when they swung a deal for Rockies’ third baseman Ryan McMahon. Then, on Sunday, they added some depth by trading for a platoon bat in Amed Rosario.
It makes sense that the team is set on making improvements, as their weaknesses have begun to cause issues over the past couple of months. Since the beginning of June, the Yankees have a 23-27 record. The Blue Jays have a four-game lead in the division, and the Bronx Bombers only have a measly 2.5-game cushion on a wild-card spot. With Judge hitting the injured list, this team must make some moves to stay afloat.
Trade for Austin Slater
On Wednesday, we got another New York trade as the franchise made a move to acquire outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox. Slater has bounced around the league over his nine-year career in the MLB, where he has put up a career .727 OPS. His greatest success came a few years back during his tenure with the Giants, but he’s putting together another solid season this year. In 2025, the right-handed outfielder has a .722 OPS and is playing average defense in the outfield.
The Yankees are sending minor league pitcher Gage Ziehl to the White Sox in exchange for Slater, according to YES Network’s Jack Curry. Ziehl is 5-4 this season with a 4.15 ERA in 16 games, including 15 starts, across Single A and Double A.
The 22-year-old South Carolina right hander was drafted in the 4th round of the 2024 draft by the Yankees out of the University of Miami. Ziehl went to Penfield High School in Penfield, New York.
Fit for the Yankees
These numbers may not sound very exciting for Yankees fans, but Austin Slater is an excellent pickup. When examining the outfielder’s 2025 season, his advanced statistics stand out. His expected OPS is an outrageous .959 paired with well above-average hard-hit rates, barrel rates, and exit velocity.
The other reason trading for Slater is smart is that he immediately fills their need in the outfield. Additionally, he’s a lefty killer. Through his career, he has a .798 OPS and 30 home runs against southpaws over 873 at-bats. This season has been no different, as Slater has an .860 OPS with all five of his home runs coming in those matchups.
Slater may not be close to big-time swing, but he can fill a critical role in New York.
What Other Trade Will the Yankees Make?
Even though the Yanks have been super busy this past week, they are likely not finished making moves. The next acquisition we will expect to see will be in the pitching department. The team has been linked to multiple starting and relief pitchers, and another move or two almost feels inevitable. It was even briefly reported, before being put to rest, that New York had also acquired starting pitcher Adrian Houser. Houser, along with Joe Ryan, Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera, Merrill Kelly, and Zac Gallen, has been rumored to be a trade option. Along with the starters, the Yankees’ staff desperately needs bullpen help.
MLB Network’s Joel Sherman spoke on New York’s trade deadline plans yesterday afternoon and had this to say.
“I think their focus is pitching, pitching, pitching,” said Sherman. “They’d love to get at least one starter, two would be perfect. They’d love to get two relievers, one lefty, three would be perfect.”
It’s still up in the air on who the Yankees will land next, but it’s clear what else they need. The patchwork to the lineup is complete. Now, it’s time to turn a mediocre pitching staff into one of the best in baseball.
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