Veteran outfielder Austin Slater, who opted out of his Tampa Bay Rays minor league contract last week searching for a big league deal, is officially coming back to the club. Talk about a quick reversal! This dude bounced a week ago, thinking he’d snag a Major League gig somewhere, and now he’s right back where he started.
The “I’m Out!” That Turned Into “I’m Back!”
Seriously, what a whirlwind for Slater. He had a minor league deal with the Rays, but clearly felt he deserved an MLB contract. So, he opted out, taking a real chance that someone would step up. And for a minute there, it sounded like he might have some interest! But then, nothing. The Chicago White Sox, who could have been a landing spot for outfield depth, went out and traded for Tommy Pham. Poof, that opportunity vanished. No other team stepped up to the plate with that big league offer Slater was chasing.
Why This Is Still a Win For the Rays (And Slater, Kinda)
According to Robert Murray of Fansided.com, Slater and the Rays have agreed on another minor league contract. It’s not the MLB deal he wanted, but hey, at least he’s got a spot! For the Rays, this is actually a pretty sweet move. Slater brings a career .715 OPS to the table, which isn’t too shabby for a depth guy. He even posted a .724 OPS in seven games with the Rays this season and an .860 OPS in Triple-A. He might not be a game-changer, but you can’t argue with solid defense and those numbers as a backup.
The Rays clearly value him as insurance. They’re heading into the final stretch this September, pushing hard to win the AL East, and who wouldn’t want a quality veteran outfielder waiting in the wings if an injury hits? Having a confident bat and glove like Slater’s available in a pinch is exactly what a team needs during a serious push for the postseason. The big question now is when, or if, he’ll actually get back on the big-league roster. But for now, the Rays have a solid option, and Slater has a uniform.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply