Outfielder Austin Slater is returning to San Francisco.
Avoiding arbitration, Slater is signing a $1.85 million deal with the Giants, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. The salary is slightly below the $2 million Slater was projected to make in arbitration.
Slater, 28, struggled in the batter’s box in 2021 after an excellent shortened pandemic season. Last year, he slashed .241/.320/.423 and hit 12 home runs.
For much of 2021, Slater platooned with LaMonte Wade Jr. in certain situations to create favorable matchups.
As it stands now, Slater is the only right-handed outfielder in the Giants’ everyday lineup. He joins Wade Jr. and Steven Duggar on the 40-man roster; both Darin Ruf and Mike Yastrzemski are also arbitration eligible and each are likely to return.
Even if Ruf re-signs, the Giants will likely still be in the market for another right-handed outfielder. SF has been rumored to be interested in Nick Castellanos and Japanese superstar Seiya Suzuki, who was posted and will have 30 days to find a MLB home.
Slater is the third arbitration eligible Giant to agree to terms before the non-tender deadline, joining John Brebbia and Jarlin García. Ruf, Yastrzemski, reliever Dominic Leone and catcher Curt Casali still haven’t publicly been tendered a contract as of early evening Tuesday.