The Chicago Cubs have signed first baseman Tyler Austin to a one-year deal worth $1.25 million, the team announced on Thursday. The 34-year-old veteran brings power potential from his time in Major League Baseball and a successful stint in Japan. This move aims to bolster the Cubs' lineup amid other offseason changes.
Tyler Austin, originally drafted by the New York Yankees in the 13th round out of high school in 2010, made his Major League debut in 2016. He spent two-plus seasons with the Yankees before brief stints with the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Milwaukee Brewers from 2018 to 2019. Over his four-year MLB career, Austin posted a 36.9% strikeout rate but showed power with 17 home runs in 69 games between the Yankees and Twins in 2018.
After leaving MLB, Austin thrived in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. In 2020, he recorded a .969 OPS and 20 home runs over 65 games. From 2020 to 2025, across 1,491 plate appearances, he slashed .293/.377/.568 with 85 homers. However, injury concerns persist, as he played more than 100 games in an NPB season only twice.
The Cubs, who have focused on pitching this offseason by re-signing starter Shota Imanaga and adding relievers Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, and Caleb Thielbar, now address their offense. They seek to replace free-agent right fielder Kyle Tucker, who despite injuries in 2025 posted an .841 OPS and 22 home runs in 136 games. Chicago has been linked to third baseman Alex Bregman and met with Pete Alonso before his signing with the Baltimore Orioles.
While Austin has not appeared in the Majors in six years and carries injury risks, the low-cost deal offers high-upside potential for the Cubs' lineup.
