The Chicago White Sox reportedly sign outfielder r to a major league contract, according to Jon Heyman of the *New York Post*. The specifics of the deal have not been revealed yet, but once it’s finalized, he will be added to the team’s 40-man roster. Chicago has enough space to accommodate him without requiring any additional roster moves.
The experienced star player, was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the eighth round of the 2014 draft out of Stanford. He spent more than a decade with the Giants, debuting in 2017 and remaining with the team until last season. Early in his career, he served as a solid but unspectacular fourth outfielder, posting a .254/.335/.368 line over 544 plate appearances in his first three seasons. While he primarily played in the outfield, he also saw occasional time at first base and even at second and third base off the bench.
In 2020, Slater had a breakout season during the shortened campaign, posting a .282/.408/.506 line in 104 plate appearances and a 150 wRC+. This strong performance earned him a larger role with the Giants in subsequent years, and from 2021 to 2023, he became a regular contributor against left-handed pitching. Although still occasionally limited against right-handers, Slater posted a solid .257/.345/.412 line over 343 games from 2021-2023, with a 113 wRC+ across 838 plate appearances. During that stretch, he walked in 10.5% of his at-bats, hit 24 homers, and stole 29 bases despite dealing with frequent injuries.
However, Slater’s production took a significant downturn in 2024. He hit just .209/.321/.266 (76 wRC+) in 212 plate appearances while playing for the Giants, Reds, and Orioles. Notably, he struggled against left-handed pitchers, posting reverse splits after having historically thrived against them. In fact, his .188/.310/.231 line against lefties this year marked a sharp contrast to his previous success. Despite these struggles, Slater did show some signs of improvement after being traded to the Orioles at the deadline. In 79 plate appearances with Baltimore, he hit .246/.342/.333 (102 wRC+) overall, including a 114 wRC+ against southpaws.
This late-season recovery may have encouraged the White Sox to take a chance on Slater, as he could provide valuable depth as a right-handed platoon option. With lefty-hitting Andrew Benintendi locked into left field and a number of left-handed hitting prospects like Zach DeLoach, Dominic Fletcher, Gavin Sheets, and Oscar Colas rotating through right field and designated hitter, Slater could be a useful complement. The White Sox struggled mightily against left-handed pitching in 2024, posting the lowest wRC+ in the majors (74), so adding Slater to the mix could provide a significant boost, even if he only replicates his solid performance with the Orioles rather than returning to his 2020-2023 form.
While adding a platoon bat may not turn the White Sox into contenders after a rough 2024 season, Slater’s trade value this past summer suggests he could be an asset on the market if he bounces back. His performance in the second half of 2024 could make him an appealing piece for other teams, and the White Sox could look to trade him for value next season if he finds success again.
Leave a Reply