Memories of Austin Slater

[Cowtipper]

Hours after inking Craig Kimbrel, the Rays signed Austin Slater to a minor league deal.

https://nypost.com/2026/05/26/sports/rays-sign-mets-castoff-austin-slater-to-minor-league-deal/

The Rays have done well with Mets castoffs and former Mets prospects these past few years, Steven Matz has done well for them this year, and last year Jake Mangum was solid. Edwin Uceta, Eric Orze and Cole Sulser have also found success there. 

 

[Cowtipper]

He was an early-season Met, so he was easily forgettable. Like Andy Ibanez. Who? For whatever reason, historically early season Mets that depart quickly fade from the memory a lot quicker than late season Mets. I remember Jonathan Arauz and Rafael Ortega well, but can't even recall some of the guys who started the year in the bullpen but disappeared quickly from the past couple seasons. Anywho, I remember him as the guy who replaced Tommy Pham (I think) and I remember watching a single clip of him scoring from third once. 

A reason I don't remember early-season guys as much is because April is when I don't have MLB.tv, so I only know the Mets through highlights and condensed games. 

[The Hot Corner]

Well, in fairness, if you were living off post-game highlights, then it would be easy to miss out on Slaters brief time with the Mets.  There weren't many highlights to his time, but he definitely had more than Ibanez.

[Cowtipper]

That's true. Also, I just don't pay as much attention that early in the season. It just doesn't stick as much. Later season baseball just means more -- that's when playoff races take shape, etc.