Chicago White Sox sign veteran Austin Slater for outfield depth

The Chicago White Sox signed veteran outfielder Austin Slater to a major-league contract Monday, a source confirmed to the Tribune. The move is pending a physical.

Slater, who turns 32 next month, has a .252/.342/.385 slash line with 60 doubles, 40 home runs and 171 RBIs in 634 career games during eight seasons with the San Francisco Giants (2017-24), Cincinnati Reds (2024) and Baltimore Orioles (2024).

Jon Heyman of the New York Post first reported the agreement. Terms are unknown.

Slater, who bats and throws right-handed, had a combined .209/.321/.266 slash line with four doubles, two home runs and 18 RBIs in 84 games with the Giants, Reds and Orioles in 2024. He played in 43 games for the Giants last season before they dealt him to the Reds on July 7. The Reds traded him to the Orioles on July 30.

Slater has 119 career starts in center field, 103 in left, 90 in right and 23 at first base. He reached career highs in home runs (12), stolen bases (15) and games (129) in 2021.

Slater provides depth for a Sox outfield that has Andrew Benintendi in left, Luis Robert Jr. in center and Dominic Fletcher in right.

Originally Published: November 18, 2024 at 9:56 AM CST