Veteran outfielder and short term New York Yankee Austin Slater is getting another major league opportunity with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Slater was with the Yankees for 14 games during the 2025 season. He had a miserable .120 batting average with a .240 OPS in his Yankee career.
The journeyman has been a solid fourth outfielder over his nine year major league career and played for the San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Yankees, Miami Marlins and New York Mets.
The 33-year-old was signed to a minor league contract by the Rays on May 27 and was called up to the major league team on Monday.
Slater has been unable to find offensive success since his departure from the Giants in 2024. In his 593 games played with San Francisco, he consistently posted mid-to-high .700 OPS seasons.
However, in his 21 games at the major league level this season with Miami and New York, Slater struggled to find his swing. Thus far, he is slashing .209/.286/.233, good for a .519 OPS, with no home runs, 2 RBIs and 15 strikeouts. He will look to find comfortability at the plate in Tampa Bay.
Slater still provides production with his defense and baserunning. While nothing flashy, he has put up good defensive seasons with great arm strength. He also ranks above average throughout his career in Baserunning Run Value.
As the corresponding move, the Rays optioned infielder Oliver Dunn to Triple-A. The 28-year-old was traded to the Rays from the White Sox on May 19. He played nine games for Tampa Bay this season, and struggled despite his stellar Sprint Speed. He posted a .258 OPS in just 11 at-bats this season.
The Rays and Yankees are currently tied for first place in the American League East division this season with about 100 games remaining each. The two teams are tied despite the Yankees top-five in both pitching and batting per ERA and OPS. While the Rays only break the top-ten on the pitching side.
Slater is one of many players who have played for both sides of the American League East division rivalry, others include Johnny Damon, Tino Martinez and Wade Boggs.
The two powerhouses of the American League do not match up again until July 6. There will be plenty of baseball to play before this division race is decided. Now with the inclusion of Austin Slater.
