The Reds and Giants have made a trade just over three weeks before the trade deadline. The Reds have acquired outfielder Austin Slater from the Giants in exchange for left-hander Alex Young. Cash considerations are also included in the deal. The Giants have sent Young to Triple-A following the trade.
Slater, 31, has been with the Giants organization for over a decade. He was drafted by the Giants out of Stanford in 2014 and made his MLB debut in 2017. Slater was primarily a part-time player in his first few years in San Francisco, playing multiple positions in the outfield, first base, and occasionally at second and third base.
In the shortened 2020 season, Slater had a breakout year, posting a 150 wRC+ for the Giants. He continued to perform well in the following years, especially against left-handed pitching where he had a .285/.380/.486 line with a 141 wRC+. However, injuries have plagued Slater, causing him to miss playing time and impacting his performance in 2024.
The Reds are hoping to tap into Slater’s abilities against left-handed pitching to bolster their outfield lineup. In exchange for Slater, the Giants are receiving left-handed reliever Alex Young, who has shown promise in the bullpen and could provide support to the Giants’ pitching staff.
Cash considerations are also part of the deal, which could affect the Giants’ luxury tax payroll calculations for the year. The trade provides financial flexibility for both teams and addresses specific needs in their rosters.
