SF Giants outfield stalwart's downfall continues with quick Marlins DFA before May

Former SF Giants outfielder Austin Slater’s downfall has continued as he has already been designated for assignment by the Miami Marlins after a rough start to the season. He may have to find yet another home after bouncing around from team to team in recent years.

He had a paltry .174 batting average through 12 games with Miami, recording just four hits in 28 at-bats. That was not enough to keep his spot on the team as he was getting sporadic playing time.

Slater was extended a lifeline from Marlins general manager Gabe Kapler who was his manager for years in San Francisco. There was a hope that maybe reuniting with Kapler would get Slater back on track but that just did not happen. 

Slater's fall from grace continues after Marlins DFA

The former lefty-masher just has not been himself for a while now. While he was one of the best role players to come off the bench or start against left-handed pitching in baseball at his peak with the Giants, that superpower has seemingly abandoned him.

It’s remarkable that Slater was once the longest-tenured Giant on the team, having played for San Francisco from 2017 to 2024, and is now a guy who seemingly can’t stick anywhere he goes. Since the Giants traded him to the Cincinnati Reds back in 2024, the longest he has stuck with a team is for 51 games which was with the Chicago White Sox last season.

He’s been with six different franchises since his time with the Giants. He was traded to the Reds, then traded to the Baltimore Orioles, signed by the White Sox, traded to the New York Yankees, picked up by the Detroit Tigers with an invite to spring training, and then the Marlins. From 2017-2023 with San Francisco he hit .257/.345/.402 with 38 homers and 153 runs batted in. Since 2024, he’s hit a collective .210/.298/.305 with seven homers and 32 runs batted in. 

At this point, if Slater clears waivers he should probably just go to Miami’s Triple-A affiliate if they want him. He’s in a decent situation with Kapler there and he could benefit from a some time in the minors where he can rediscover his swing. He’s hit .263/.354/.423 with 30 homers and 113 runs batted batted in against lefties in his career so if he can find that form maybe he can find a home.

Slater was a good Giant and defended the city of San Francisco from criticism so let’s hope he can get back on track soon. It's a shame we won't get to see him in the series against Miami beginning tonight, though.

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