Chicago Cubs Sign Former Top Prospect

The Chicago Cubs have signed former Yankees prospect Tyler Austin to a one-year, $1.25 million deal, according to Jon Heyman. Austin, who last played in MLB in 2019, has been playing in Japan for the last six seasons. He returns to MLB to join the Chicago Cubs as a bench player and backup first baseman.

During his time in Japan, Austin slashed .293/.377/.568, leading NPB in slugging percentage during his tenure, led NPB in batting average and OPS for the 2024 campaign, and he was named an All-Star twice. Austin’s resurgence came after a lackluster career in MLB that spanned four seasons with four different teams.

Tyler Austin Joins Chicago Cubs On One-Year Deal

The Chicago Cubs added their first position player of the 2025 offseason on Thursday, signing Austin to a one-year, $1.25 million deal. Austin, 34, has been playing in Japan for the last six years, dominating in Nippon Professional Baseball.

Austin last played in MLB in 2019 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He never realized the potential he flashed coming up through the minors with the New York Yankees‘ organization. Over four seasons with four different teams, Austin slashed .219/.292/.451 with 33 home runs and 91 RBI across 209 games.

Austin will come back to the major leagues and rejoin his former teammate in Japan, Shota Imanaga, whom the Chicago Cubs re-signed earlier this offseason. Austin figures to back up Michael Busch at first base and get pinch-hit at-bats late in games in favorable situations.