​With a little more than a month remaining until the MLB trade deadline, contending teams may seek added depth at various positions. One strategy is signing veterans to minor league deals, which can bolster a roster without triggering trades or major expenses. On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays took that route, re-signing outfielder Austin Slater to a minor league contract, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Slater, 33, has already spent time with three organizations in 2026, including the Rays. He began the season with the Miami Marlins, lasting 12 games, before a stint with the New York Mets, where he was designated for assignment after nine appearances. This year, across 28 games with those clubs, Slater batted .231/.311/.277 with no home runs, three RBIs, and a .588 OPS.
Slater broke into the majors with the San Francisco Giants, spending parts of eight seasons with them starting in 2017. While he can provide some power off the bench against left-handed pitchers, he has not hit more than 12 homers in a single season. In Tampa Bay’s outfield, the Rays currently feature left-handed hitters such as Cedric Mullins, Victor Mesa Jr., Chandler Simpson, and the injured Jake Fraley, while right-handed batters Ryan Vilade and Jonny DeLuca round out the group. The article also notes additional MLB developments and various trade chatter around other teams as the deadline approaches.