Could a Reunion with Austin Slater Make Sense for the Orioles?
The Baltimore Orioles are heading into spring training with a crowded outfield picture-but that doesn’t mean they should close the door on adding another name to the mix. Especially not if that name is Austin Slater.
Slater, a right-handed bat with a proven track record against left-handed pitching, has some history with the Orioles. He had a short stint in Baltimore back in 2024, and while it wasn’t eye-popping, it was solid: a .246/.342/.333 slash line over 33 games, with one homer and six RBIs. But the bigger connection might be with new Orioles manager Craig Albernaz, who worked with Slater during their overlapping years in San Francisco.
Albernaz wasn’t Slater’s hitting coach-his focus was on the bullpen and catchers-but he was in the dugout during Slater’s most productive stretch with the Giants. From 2021 to 2022, Slater quietly became one of the more effective platoon bats in the National League.
He slashed .252/.344/.416 over those two seasons, with 19 homers and 66 RBIs, primarily feasting on left-handed pitching. For his career, Slater owns a .267/.357/.430 line with 30 home runs and 112 RBIs-numbers that jump when he’s facing southpaws.
Now 33, Slater’s best days may be behind him, and his 2025 season-split between the White Sox and Yankees-didn’t do much to change that narrative. But there’s something to be said for familiarity, and a reunion with Albernaz might be the kind of subtle spark that helps a veteran find his rhythm again.
Of course, the Orioles aren’t exactly hurting for outfield options. The recent addition of Taylor Ward adds another name to a group that already includes Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill, and Leody Taveras.
Jorge Mateo, a versatile utility man, could also see time in the outfield if needed. So, yes, the depth chart is already pretty full.
But here’s where Slater could still fit: a minor league deal with a spring training invite. No risk, no roster commitment.
If he shows something in Florida-if that bat heats up like it did a few years ago-he could carve out a role as a bench piece or a platoon option in the corner outfield. And if not?
The Orioles move on without much fuss.
Slater isn’t a game-changer at this stage in his career, but he doesn’t need to be. What he brings is a very specific skill set-hitting lefties-that can be valuable over the course of a long season. For a team with postseason ambitions, it’s the kind of depth move that could quietly pay off down the stretch.
So while the Orioles may not need Austin Slater, they might be wise to at least take a look. In spring training, there’s always room for a veteran bat with something to prove.