New York beforehand bolstered its infield with the acquisitions of Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario, however including an outfielder grew to become extra of a necessity for the membership after Aaron Choose went on the injured listing with a flexor pressure in his proper elbow. The Yankees plan to have Choose function their DH when he returns.
TRADE DETAILSYankees obtain: OF Austin SlaterWhite Sox obtain: RHP Gage Ziehl
With Choose sidelined, the Yankees’ outfield additionally had change into overly left-handed. Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham each bat from the left aspect, and whereas Jasson Domínguez is a switch-hitter, he has a .585 OPS batting righty in 2025 (vs. .810 batting lefty).
The addition of Slater, a 32-year-old right-handed hitter with a lifetime .798 OPS towards southpaws, ought to give the Bronx Bombers extra stability on the grass.
Ziehl, 22, was a fourth-round Draft choose by the Yankees out of the College of Miami in 2024. He has recorded a 4.15 ERA with 70 strikeouts and 14 walks over 82 1/3 innings throughout three Minor League ranges in 2025. Ziehl, whose greatest pitch is his sweeping slider, profiles as a back-end starter if he reaches his projected ceiling, per MLB Pipeline.
