Cubs Sign Tyler Austin to Major League Deal
The Cubs have signed a player from Nippon Professional Baseball! It’s not a name as big as Tatsuya Imai or Munetaka Murakami, but the deal is a really solid get for the Cubs’ roster. As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Chicago is signing Tyler Austin, a former top prospect with the New York Yankees. Jon Heyman reported the financials, with Austin set to earn $1.25 million before possible incentives.
First baseman Tyler Austin and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a one-year major league deal, sources tell ESPN. Austin, 34, is a former top Yankees prospect who has been a star in Japan for the last half-decade, hitting .293/.377/.568 for the Yokohama Bay Stars.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 18, 2025
Tyler Austin, who came up with the Yankees and became a power hitting star with the Yokohama Bay Stars, agrees to Cubs deal. $1.25M plus incentives.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 18, 2025
Austin was drafted by the Yankees in 2010 and made his MLB debut in 2016. He was a top prospect in New York’s system but never quite found his footing at the major-league level. In 209 MLB games, he totaled 33 home runs. After spending time with four different teams, Austin headed to Nippon Professional Baseball for the 2020 season.
The Yokohama DeNA BayStars signed Austin, and he has been an absolute force since moving to Japan. He mashed in his first two seasons, posting a 156 wRC+ and 177 wRC+, respectively.
Across his first two years with the BayStars, Austin hit 48 home runs and drove in 130 runs. After missing time due to injury, he put together the best season of his career in 2024. The Georgia native posted a monstrous 197 wRC+ and .601 slugging percentage during his age-32 season, scoring 66 runs and driving in 69 RBIs. He also hit 25 home runs and won the batting title with a .316 average.
His 2025 season wasn’t as dominant, but a 147 wRC+ is still well above average. His 149 OPS+ ranked in the 96th percentile, and his 10.6% walk rate was also among the best in NPB.
The big question is where he fits on the 2026 Chicago Cubs. He likely won’t be a starter, instead filling Justin Turner’s role as a bench bat who mashes lefties. Craig Counsell mentioned at the Winter Meetings that Michael Busch will see more opportunities against left-handed pitching, though there will still be situations where Austin spells him.
It’s a cheap deal for a bench bat with plenty of upside. While some fans online seem upset about the move (shocker), it’s important to remember that low-cost deals can be valuable. If Austin can’t hit in MLB, it’s an inexpensive gamble that won’t impact the budget or future moves.
His previous stint in the majors may not have been memorable statistically, but he did make headlines thanks to a fight with former reliever Joe Kelly.
Benches clear, punches thrown in Yankees-Red Sox after Tyler Austin is hit by a pitch from Joe Kelly. pic.twitter.com/wvqoak8QMV
— MLB (@MLB) April 12, 2018
Back in 2023, Austin wrote a piece for The Players’ Tribune about his experience in Japan, which is a fantastic read. You can check it out here.
One last fun note: Austin was teammates with Shōta Imanaga for four years in Japan, as they both played for the BayStars from 2020-2023.
