Austin Slater Signs With Mets After Being Cut by Marlins

Shortly after being designated for assignment by the Miami Marlins and clearing waivers, veteran outfielder Austin Slater found a new home with the New York Mets.

Slater agreed to a deal with the Mets on Sunday, according to the Athletic. Slater has a career OPS of .717 and is on his third team in 2026, starting with the Detroit Tigers in spring training. 

Slater was brought in as a last-minute signing to fill a spot in right field and provide a matchup advantage against left-handed pitching at the top of the Marlins’ lineup. Slaters usually batted leadoff against left-handed starting pitchers, but he 33-year-old outfielder collected only four hits in 23 at-bats through 12 games. He went hitless in 10 of those games. 

Typically, Slater has fared better against southpaws over the course of his decade-long career. All five of his home runs last year were against left-handers, he batted .288 against them in 2023. From 2020-22, his prime years, Slater batted .285 against left-handed pitching through a total of 209 games.

Slater spent the first eight seasons of his big league career with the San Francisco Giants. His best season came in 2021 under then-manager Gabe Kapler, who is now the Marlins general manager. Slater hit 12 home runs and stole 15 bases in 129 games for a San Francisco squad that won 107 games.

According to Marlins insider/broadcaster Craig Mish, Slater signed with the Marlins for $1 million, but has an advanced concentration in his deal in which Miami only pays a pro-rated amount for his one month with the club.

The Mets, coming off being swept at home against the Colorado Rockies and designated veteran outfielder Tommy Pham for assignment after going 0-for-13 since joining the team on April 13.