As we sit just one day away from the trading deadline, the White Sox have been very quiet, as there haven't been too many significant rumors outside of what the White Sox plan to do with Luis Robert Jr. However, that just changed, as news broke of the White Sox first trade at the deadline.
According to Jeff Passan, the White Sox have sent outfielder Austin Slater to the New York Yankees. There were some rumblings of this the other day, and now it actually comes to fruition.
The New York Yankees have acquired outfielder Austin Slater in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2025
This is exactly why the White Sox signed Slater in the offseason, as they hoped that he would play well enough, especially against lefties, to entice a team in the playoff hunt to make a trade for him at the deadline.
Slater could be a nice addition to the Yankees, as he is hitting .236 with a .299 OBP and a .722 OPS. He has added five homeruns and 11 RBIs. He has been a lefty masher, as he has hit .261 with a .338 OBP against lefties this year. He has hit all five of his homeruns against lefties and eight of his RBIs have come against lefties, all while having a very solid .860 OPS.
Jack Curry reports that the White Sox will receive AA pitcher Gage Ziehl in return for Austin Slater.
Gage Ziehl, a RHP who has pitched at Single A and Double A this season, will be sent to the White Sox in the Austin Slater deal.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) July 30, 2025
Ziehl is the Yankees 18th ranked prospect on their MLB Pipeline top-30 list. He has a 4.15 ERA over 82.1 innings, striking out 70 batters in those innings. Ziehl was a fourth round pick in last year's draft.
This should set off a flurry of trades for the White Sox, as they have plenty of moves to be made before tomorrow's 5 P.M. deadline.
