The Minnesota Twins may be looking for a trade involving Tyler Austin after the signing of veteran Nelson Cruz and here are some possible landing spots.
The Minnesota Twins have reportedly found their DH for the 2019 season and possibly even 2020 with the signing of Nelson Cruz. It should be a great addition for the Twins as Cruz will provide the team with a formidable right-handed bat for the middle of their lineup. Hopefully, he finds that jet stream that runs out to left field in Target Field like Brian Dozier and Josh Willingham before him.
While the Cruz move is absolutely the type of move the Twins needed to make, it will likely have some domino effects for the other 1B/DH type players on the roster. Most likely that means that there may not be room for Tyler Austin on the 2019 Twins roster.
That leaves the Twins with the option of eventually releasing Austin or trying to find a trade partner for the right-handed slugger. Trading Austin is obviously more profitable for the twins so let’s take a look at some teams that might be interested in his services.
Miami Marlins
The Marlins are in a spot where they are mainly selling assets off, but taking a chance on Austin could pay off for when the Marlins are ready to compete again. Miami is currently set to start the season with either Peter O’Brien or another former Yankee Garrett Cooper manning first base. Austin is still very unproven like both of these players but would immediately become the most MLB experienced first baseman on the roster.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays were in on Cruz before he agreed to sign with the Twins. Austin is probably not quite what they were looking for, but if they would like some insurance behind currently slated starter Ji-Man Choi it could be a fit. The Rays are certainly good at getting something out of little when it comes to first baseman so they would certainly be able to do something with Austin.
New York Yankees
So this is awkward. Just last season the Yankees traded Austin away in favor of Luke Voit. If the Yankees do not sign a high profile free agent they may welcome Austin back into their first base mix. It seems very unlikely as Voit actually finished the season out well and the Yankees are probably more likely to spend money on someone like Bryce Harper instead.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers have Ronald Guzman currently slotted to play first base and it may be hard to see Austin replacing him even though Austin’s power numbers are a bit stronger. The DH spot looks a bit more open. So this may provide an opportunity for Thad Levine to make a trade with his former club.
Now there is no guarantee that the Twins will be trying to swing a trade to open up Tyler Austin’s roster spot. There is a possible way for the Twins to keep all three of C.J. Cron, Cruz, and Austin on the Roster. It just doesn’t seem like a likely scenario moving into 2019.