The Cincinnati Reds acquired veteran outfielder Austin Slater from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for left-hander Alex Young, the clubs announced on Monday.
The #Reds have acquired OF Austin Slater and cash considerations from the Giants in exchange for LHP Alex Young. pic.twitter.com/ljL3S57L7F
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 8, 2024
Austin Slater has spent his entire eight-year career with the San Francisco Giants, accumulating a .735 OPS with 39 home runs and 162 RBIs over 593 games. However, at 31 years old in 2021, he has struggled with production, posting a lackluster .200/.330/.244 slash line with one home run, 12 runs scored, and nine RBIs in 43 games.
It’s worth noting that Slater was notably productive in 2021 and 2022, hitting 19 home runs with 66 RBIs, stealing 27 bases, and boasting a 115 wRC+ while amassing 3.7 fWAR over 254 games. Now, he seeks to regain that form in his new challenge with the Cincinnati Reds.
Who is Alex Young? The left-hander returning to San Francisco.
He is a left-handed reliever with six years of Major League experience, having played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Guardians, and Cincinnati Reds. So far this season, he has yet to allow a run in three appearances with the Reds. Throughout his career, Young holds a record of 16-18 with a 4.40 ERA, a 1.41 WHIP, and 226 strikeouts in 163 appearances.
Young is no stranger to San Francisco, having previously joined the Giants via trade in July 2022 from the Cleveland Guardians.