Veteran outfielder Austin Slater is opting out of his Minor League contract with the Tampa Bay Rays in hopes of landing a Major League deal elsewhere, sources tell FanSided. On the season, Slater has a .588 OPS in 65 at-bats for the Rays, but hasn't played in an MLB game since June 17, when he recorded a walk against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Slater, a 10-year big-league veteran, had signed with Tampa during the season in hopes of making it to the Majors. But he’s only played in seven games with the team, hitting only .273/.360/.364 with one home run and three RBI. What should give teams optimism that he can make an impact is what he’s done in Triple-A with Tampa Bay, where he’s hit .305/.407/.453 while walking nearly 15 percent of the time.
Mariners, Phillies among potential fits for new free agent Austin Slater
Besides, Slater has long since established himself as an above-average hitter against left-handed pitchers. In 1,087 career plate appearances, he’s hit .263/.353/.420 against lefties, while also serving as a veteran voice in any clubhouse he's in. So perhaps a contending team in need of reinforcements off the bench or a team out of contention that needs leadership or healthy options – the San Francisco Giants make sense – could be a good fit for Slater's services.
Among other teams that could make sense are the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners. The Pirates, in particular, had hoped for Marcell Ozuna to be a productive veteran bat, but he struggled mightily and was ultimately released. The Phillies have a need for depth and a player who can perform against left-handed pitching, and Slater would provide exactly that. The Mariners, meanwhile, have also struggled against left-handed pitching throughout the season, especially recently, and could use Slater as a veteran off the bench.
It’s unclear if Slater will ultimately be able to land an MLB deal. But considering his track record, and the fact that rosters are expanding from 26 to 28 on Sept. 1, there’s a real chance such an offer comes. And it wouldn’t be surprising if it happened soon.
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