The White Sox are reportedly signing outfielder Austin Slater to a major league contract, according to Jon Heyman of the *New York Post*. While the terms of the deal have not been disclosed, Slater will need to be added to Chicago’s 40-man roster once the agreement is finalized. Fortunately, the team has an open spot, so no corresponding roster move will be required.
Slater, 31, was selected by the Giants in the eighth round of the 2014 draft out of Stanford. He spent over a decade in San Francisco’s organization, debuting in the majors in 2017 and staying with the team until last season. In his first three years, he served as a serviceable fourth outfielder, posting a .254/.335/.368 slash line over 544 plate appearances. While mainly playing in the outfield, he occasionally filled in at first base and even saw brief stints at second and third base.
Slater’s offensive game improved significantly during the shortened 2020 season, where he slashed .282/.408/.506 with a 150 wRC+ over 104 plate appearances in 31 games. That breakout earned him more opportunities, and from 2021 to 2023, he became a regular against left-handed pitching. Over those three seasons, Slater posted a solid .257/.345/.412 slash line (113 wRC+) across 838 plate appearances, walking at a 10.5% rate, hitting 24 home runs, and stealing 29 bases despite injuries limiting his availability.
However, Slater struggled in 2024, hitting just .209/.321/.266 (76 wRC+) across 212 plate appearances while playing for the Giants, Reds, and Orioles. Surprisingly, his production flipped from previous years, as he underperformed against left-handed pitching, managing only a .188/.310/.231 line in 142 plate appearances. Despite those struggles, Slater rebounded after being traded to Baltimore, slashing .246/.342/.333 (102 wRC+) in 79 plate appearances, including a 114 wRC+ against lefties.
This late-season improvement might give the White Sox confidence in Slater’s ability to bounce back in 2025. He fits well as a right-handed platoon option on a roster that already features lefty hitters like Andrew Benintendi, Zach DeLoach, Dominic Fletcher, Gavin Sheets, and Oscar Colas. The White Sox, who posted an MLB-worst 74 wRC+ against left-handed pitching last season, could benefit greatly from Slater’s contributions, even if he replicates his performance with the Orioles rather than returning to his 2020-2023 form.
While Slater alone isn’t likely to transform the White Sox into contenders after a 121-loss season, he could provide enough value to attract trade interest next summer if he rebounds. Slater’s potential for a comeback makes him a smart low-risk addition for Chicago.
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