The Cincinnati Reds bolstered their outfield and bench depth in their first notable trade of the 2024 season by acquiring San Francisco Giants outfielder Austin Slater. This move, however, appears to have diminished Cincinnati’s pursuit of outfielder Brent Rooker, a highly coveted target ahead of the deadline.
In exchange for left-handed reliever Alex Young, who split time between the Giants and Triple-A Louisville this season, the Reds secured Slater along with cash considerations. Slater, known for his effectiveness against left-handed pitching, fills a critical need for Cincinnati’s injury-plagued outfield, which ranks below average in offensive metrics against lefties. He joins as a low-cost veteran presence on a team with an average hitter age of 27.3, second youngest in the National League, likely forming a platoon with left-handed hitter Will Benson.
Rooker had been a subject of trade speculation to the Reds for weeks due to his powerful hitting as a pull hitter, well-suited for Great American Ball Park, known for its favorable conditions for right-handed hitters. He is arbitration-eligible this offseason and remains under team control until 2027. However, concerns linger over Rooker’s defensive capabilities, having played only 14 games in the outfield in 2024. In contrast, Slater, primarily a right fielder this season, offers versatility across all outfield positions, with a modest defensive runs saved (DRS) of minus-1, comparable to or better than several injured Reds outfielders and incumbents like Benson and Spencer Steer. Slater also has experience at first base, albeit not since 2019.
While Slater’s arrival addresses immediate outfield needs, the Reds still face offensive deficiencies in other positions, potentially leaving room for a move for Rooker, particularly if they opt to stand pat with their current outfield setup plus Slater. The acquisition of Slater could signal a strategic move to position for a larger transaction closer to the deadline or reflect a strategy to withstand ongoing injury challenges across the roster.