The Chicago Cubs are kicking off their offseason moves, officially outrighting first baseman Tyler Austin from their 40-man roster this week. It’s a key first step as the team faces some massive decisions coming up.
The $1.25 Million Deal That Never Played
Austin signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with Chicago last winter, a deal that, frankly, went nowhere on the field for the Cubs faithful. He didn’t even play for them in 2026. Why? Last February, Austin went under the knife for season-ending surgery, fixing a patellar tendon issue in his right knee. Talk about bad luck, right? Before landing with Chicago, Austin spent six seasons crushing it in Japan for Nippon Professional Baseball’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars. His last MLB game actually dates back to 2019, when he was rocking a Milwaukee Brewers uniform.
What Austin’s Departure Clears For Chicago
In his Major League career, Austin has clocked in 583 plate appearances, posting a .219/.292/.451 slash line with 33 home runs. Now that he’s off the Cubs’ 40-man, Austin has a choice: try to bounce back in MLB, or maybe head back to Japan or another professional league in Asia for a new playing opportunity. For the Cubs, this move clears a roster spot, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg for what’s shaping up to be a wild offseason. A huge chunk of their starting rotation is now a free agent. Plus, they’ve got to figure out if they can even re-sign their outfield stars Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki. Keeping both of those guys is looking like a serious challenge.
With Austin’s contract officially in the rearview mirror, the Cubs are staring down a busy winter. Every move from here on out, from locking down their rotation to making big calls on their key outfielders, is going to be under the microscope. This roster spot might be open, but the real work to build for next season is only just beginning in Chicago.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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