By Patrick McAvoyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Chicago Cubs reportedly are giving a former top prospect a shot.
ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Thursday that the Cubs and are in agreement with former New York Yankees prospect Tyler Austin one a one-year big league deal.
"First baseman Tyler Austin and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a one-year major league deal, sources tell ESPN," Passan wrote on X on Thursday. "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."
...The 34-year-old hasn't appeared in a big league game since 2019. He was selected in the 13th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Yankees. Austin eventually made his big league debut in 2016. Overall, Austin played parts of four seasons in the big leagues before going over to Japan. He appeared in 209 games and slashed .219/.292/.451 with 33 homers and 91 RBIs.
Austin joined the Yokohama Bay Stars in Nippon Professional Baseball in 2020 and impressed. In 2025, he played in 71 games and slashed .280/.363/.502 with 12 homers and 31 RBIs. In 2024, he slashed .312/.378/.594 with 26 homers and 74 RBIs. Now, he reportedly has agreed to return to the big leagues.
More MLB: Cubs Breakout Star Reportedly Bolting for Phillies in Free Agency
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