Report: Giants agree to one-year extension with outfielder

Slater was limited by elbow injuries throughout the 2023 season and was never able to play at 100%. In a lesser role, Slater hit .270/.348/.400 in 207 plate appearances with nine doubles and five home runs. His limitations were most obvious defensively, where he received a notably smaller workload on the grass. Still, he remained particularly effective against left-handed pitching (.288/.361/.439 triple-slash).

Slater was signed by one of the Giants' longest-tenured scouts when he was drafted by the team in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Stanford. He was immediately productive as a professional and reached Double-A before the end of his first full minor-league season. By 2017, Slater had made his big-league debut and was vying for consistent playing time.

While Slater's struggles against same-sided pitching and injuries have prevented him from ever becoming an everyday player, he has also solidified himself as a valuable contributor. Despite never accruing more than 325 plate appearances in a season, Slater has a .258/.346/.402 career triple-slash with 38 home runs and 45 stolen bases in 1,486 plate appearances and, outside of this season, has been an above-average defensive player at every outfield position.

Whether Austin Slater fits with the 2024 SF Giants remains to be seen. The team already has a crowded outfield and is reportedly looking for further upgrades this offseason. With young right-handed hitting outfielders like Luis Matos and Heliot Ramos having success at Triple-A last season, it seems reasonable to think San Francisco's front office could look to move on from Slater to create opportunities for other players.