THE “RECLAMATION” DEAL
CHICAGO, IL—In a move that has sent ripples from the North Side to Yokohama, the Chicago Cubs have officially signed first baseman Tyler Austin to a one-year, Major League contract. As of December 18, 2025, the deal—worth $1.25 million plus incentives—marks one of the most intriguing “return-to-MLB” stories of the decade.
Austin, once a top-tier prospect for the New York Yankees, has spent the last six seasons reinventing himself as an offensive juggernaut in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Now, the 34-year-old veteran returns to the States for a “historical opportunity” to prove that his refined approach can translate to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.
FROM FORGOTTEN PROSPECT TO JAPANESE LEGEND
When Austin left the MLB in 2019 after stints with the Yankees, Twins, Giants, and Brewers, he was known as a high-strikeout power threat who couldn’t quite find his rhythm. In Japan, however, he became the “NPB King.”
- The 2024 Masterclass: Austin captured the Central League batting title with a staggering .316 average and led the Yokohama DeNA BayStars to a Japan Series championship.
- The “Yoshi-Style” Power: Over his half-decade in Japan, he slashed an elite .293/.377/.568, proving he could hit for both massive power and high contact—a combination the Cubs’ current lineup desperately needs.
- The “Shōta” Connection: Austin will be reunited with his former Yokohama teammate, Shōta Imanaga. The duo spent four years together in Japan, and fans are already calling Austin the “muscle” to Shōta’s “magic.”
BY THE NUMBERS: THE TYLER AUSTIN TRANSFORMATION
| Metric | The MLB “Old” (2016-19) | The NPB “New” (2020-25) |
| Strikeout Rate | 36.9% | ~19% (Massive improvement) |
| OPS+ | 95 (Below Average) | 197 (97% better than NPB avg) |
| Batting Average | .219 | .293 |
| The Role | Bench/Forgotten | Platoon Hammer / DH |
THE STRATEGIC FIT: THE BUSCH PLATOON
The Cubs’ decision to sign Austin isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about solving a specific 2025 weakness. While Michael Busch had a breakout 34-homer season, he struggled immensely against left-handed pitching (batting just .207).
Austin is a documented “Lefty Killer.” In 2025, his wRC+ against left-handers in Japan was a cartoonish 190. By pairing him with Busch, the Cubs effectively create a “Super First Baseman” that can dominate any pitcher the National League Central throws their way.
“This is the quintessential ‘low-risk, high-reward’ move,” noted ESPN’s Jeff Passan. “For just $1.25 million, the Cubs are getting a guy who was arguably the best hitter in Japan last year. If he hits even 70% as well at Wrigley, he’s the steal of the winter.”
