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  • Tyler Austin Traded to San Francisco

    Tom Froemming

    By Tom Froemming

    Well, that didn't take long. Days after being designated for assignment, Tyler Austin has been traded to the San Francisco Giants for minor league outfielder Malique Ziegler. Austin only received five plate appearances for the Twins this season.

    This brings an end to Austin's brief tenure with the Minnesota Twins. He was acquired July 30, 2018 in the deal that sent Lance Lynn to the New York Yankees.

    Image courtesy of © Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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    Heading into this offseason, it appeared Austin had the inside track at the starting first base gig. His overall batting line of .236/.294/.488 (.782 OPS) was uneven, but there's never been any questioning his power.

    Well, a C.J. Cron waiver claim and Nelson Cruz free agent signing later and Austin was quickly on the outside looking in. He was out of options, so when the Twins DFAed him over the weekend it appeared to be only a matter of time before he was with a new team.

    At least the Twins have something to show for him.

    Malique Ziegler was the Giants' 22nd-round pick of their 2016 Draft. He grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and played his college ball at North Iowa Area Community College. A right-handed hitting outfielder, Ziegler comes to the Twins having hit .245/.339/.376 (.714 OPS) in 143 career minor league games.

    Zigler has some speed, he's hit nine triples and has 38 stolen bases in his career, and has a knack for getting on base. He's drawn 66 walks in 627 career plate appearances, which works out to a solid walk rate of 10.5%. There's still a fair amount of swing and miss in his game, especially considering his relative lack of power, as Ziegler has 24.3 K%.

    Maybe the biggest shockwave from Austin's departure from the organization is in how it relates to the first base/DH depth chart.

    The Twins have some guys already at the major league level who are able to move around -- Marwin Gonzalez and Willians Astudillo both can play just about anywhere, Miguel Sano has some time a first base and Max Kepler spent quite a bit of time there in his minor league career. So there's no shortage of options should Cron or Cruz miss time.

    If you're someone knocking on the door, such as Brent Rooker or Luke Raley, however, Austin moving on represents one more road block removed on the road to the big leagues.

    Follow Tom Froemming on Twitter: TFTwins

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    jorgenswest

    jorgenswest 5,941

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

      On 4/8/2019 at 11:08 PM, Riverbrian said:

    The often stated dream of Austin having the ability to play some OF. The lingering question of is Cron better than Austin. 

     

    He didn't play a single inning of OF in spring training so I've been assuming he just can't do it. If he could play some OF he wouldn't be headed to SF right now but he didn't play any OF so... I'll let my current assumption ring. 

     

    And of course... He is starting tonight for the Giants and starting at 1B with Brandon Belt moving to LF. 

     

    So for now... I'll just be watching to see who produces better... Cron or Austin... trying to compare and contrast in unique situations... National League... American League. I'm not saying my watching will do any good but that has never stopped me before.  :)

     

    If he gets most of his at bats against lefties I expect his numbers will look pretty good. As you are watching I would pay attention to how often he sits against right handed pitching and which of those pitchers is he missing.

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    Thrylos

    Thrylos 8,325

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

      On 4/8/2019 at 11:53 PM, DiscGolfer said:

    Second trade with San Fran this year, might be the start of building a trade relationship for a bigger deal for Bumgarner later in the season.

     

    I'd take Will Smith off their hands too

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    ChrisKnutson

    ChrisKnutson 502

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

      On 4/8/2019 at 8:13 PM, Mike Sixel said:
    Cave? I have my doubts, you need 4 OF. And Marwin and Astudillo are not OF. Can Garver play the OF?

     

    Beyond Marwin, in the high minors we got Wade, Andreoli, Rooker, Raley, Kerrigan, Davis, Wiel, and potentially Kirilloff. IMO I believe that should be enough to deal with the potential loss of Cave. Of course, the most important part of all this, is that we’d have to actually get something of value for Cave. Trading him for a prospect doesn’t seem like the best use of a trade chip like him, so I’m in favor of pairing him with one of our better prospects for a notable relief arm like Archie Bradley of the D-Backs, who already lost Souza for the year.

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    big dog

    big dog 3,356

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

      On 4/9/2019 at 12:11 AM, ChrisKnutson said:

    Beyond Marwin, in the high minors we got Wade, Andreoli, Rooker, Raley, Kerrigan, Davis, Wiel, and potentially Kirilloff. IMO I believe that should be enough to deal with the potential loss of Cave. Of course, the most important part of all this, is that we’d have to actually get something of value for Cave. Trading him for a prospect doesn’t seem like the best use of a trade chip like him, so I’m in favor of pairing him with one of our better prospects for a notable relief arm like Archie Bradley of the D-Backs, who already lost Souza for the year.

    Larnach seems to be a real outfielder as well.

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    mikelink45

    mikelink45 10,958

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Not really a very significant move, but at least we have another live body in the system.  This is the kind of non-event that fills the fringe of mlb.  I feel bad for Austin, he really needs a chance and I am not sure this is where he will get it.  But from the Twins standpoint it really does not matter.  We are set at the only places he could have contributed. 

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    PseudoSABR

    PseudoSABR 4,815

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Why wouldn't they demote DeJong when Sano comes back?  And if they prefer a position player to demote (Cave, Garver, Astudillo, release Adrianza), there's a better rostered pitcher than DeJong...

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    Mike Sixel

    Mike Sixel 41,021

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

      On 4/9/2019 at 12:11 AM, ChrisKnutson said:

    Beyond Marwin, in the high minors we got Wade, Andreoli, Rooker, Raley, Kerrigan, Davis, Wiel, and potentially Kirilloff. IMO I believe that should be enough to deal with the potential loss of Cave. Of course, the most important part of all this, is that we’d have to actually get something of value for Cave. Trading him for a prospect doesn’t seem like the best use of a trade chip like him, so I’m in favor of pairing him with one of our better prospects for a notable relief arm like Archie Bradley of the D-Backs, who already lost Souza for the year.

    It's not about losing Cave, it's about having four good OF on the roster. You can't replace him in the roster without sending out someone else....

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    Danchat

    Danchat 11,131

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

      On 4/9/2019 at 2:12 AM, Linus said:

    So what we gave up in draft pick compensation for Lynn nets is a nothing prospect. Another move that doesn’t move us forward

    Well, they also acquired Luis Rijo for Lynn, a 19 year old in rookie league who might eventually make his way up the prospect list.

     

    But really, for 2 expensive months of Lynn, that's hall he should be worth.

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    Mike Sixel

    Mike Sixel 41,021

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

      On 4/9/2019 at 2:12 AM, Linus said:

    So what we gave up in draft pick compensation for Lynn nets is a nothing prospect. Another move that doesn’t move us forward

    The question of what to do with Austin has nothing to do with Lynn..... That already happened. The Lynn signing was an ok move, not a great move, that didn't work. But they needed pitching....

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    jokin

    jokin 4,237

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

      On 4/8/2019 at 7:20 PM, spycake said:

    Thanks for sharing.

     

    That pre-injury 2018 line was a super small sample of course (86 PA), but a few of the underlying peripherals certainly weren't unsustainable: 12.8 BB%, 23.3 K%, .333 BABIP. He hasn't sustained anything close to that .246 ISO yet, of course.

     

    FWIW, it looks like he had a similar cooling off in 2017, without injury. His 2017 OPS by month:

     

    June: 1.001

    July: .665 (further split into .754 first half of the month, .592 second half)

    August: .539

     

    Not that I necessarily buy that monthly splits are all that indicative of much...

     

    Edit to add: also, this information would have been more encouraging if we had acquired him in the offseason. I don't like to appeal to authority, but I'm guessing the Giants wouldn't have traded him for Tyler Austin (to play outfield?) if Ziegler showed anything like that 2018 pre-injury line in camp this spring.

     

    Disappointing return, for sure. I would have hoped the Twins could have insisted on a high ceiling/flawed minor league pitcher over a mid-ceiling 4th OF type (who are available on the waiver wire seemingly on a daily basis).

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    jokin

    jokin 4,237

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted (edited)

     

      On 4/9/2019 at 3:42 AM, Mike Sixel said:

    The question of what to do with Austin has nothing to do with Lynn..... That already happened. The Lynn signing was an ok move, not a great move, that didn't work. But they needed pitching....

     

    As I was just writing.... they still do... ie, Who on the farm currently is going to provide some quality RP innings when some of the current pen's arms (inevitably) start to break down?

     

    (I have little faith in Reed, Magill or Moya) 

     

    Wasn't there another Vasquez or Mejia-type floating around out there & worth taking a shot on?

    Edited by jokin
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    jokin

    jokin 4,237

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted (edited)

     

     

      On 4/9/2019 at 2:37 AM, Riverbrian said:

    Austin singles to center in his 2nd AB.

     

    He already leads the Giants in hits for the season.  :)

     

    Are you willing to start a TA-O-Meter, like Spirit Dave did for Aaron Hicks? Just for all of us in the Twins masochist club? :lol:

     

      On 4/9/2019 at 1:17 AM, big dog said:

    Larnach seems to be a real outfielder as well.

     

    Laranch should jump above all of the above, except Kiriloff, by about late 2020. Depending on how next year goes, both for him and the Twins, he might even get a September call-up.

    Edited by jokin
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    Mike Sixel

    Mike Sixel 41,021

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

      On 4/9/2019 at 4:42 AM, jokin said:

    As I was just writing.... they still do... ie, Who on the farm currently is going to provide some quality RP innings when some of the current pen's arms (inevitably) start to break down?

     

    (I have little faith in Reed, Magill or Moya)

     

    Wasn't there another Vasquez or Mejia-type floating around out there & worth taking a shot on?

    Apparently not for Austin.

     

    And yes, they need high end pitching. But then most teams do....

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    jokin

    jokin 4,237

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted (edited)

     

      On 4/9/2019 at 5:16 AM, Mike Sixel said:

    Apparently not for Austin.

    And yes, they need high end pitching. But then most teams do....

     

    How about Austin plus another one of their spare OF/1B/UIF or prospect starters.... "for starters".

     

    But, for just Austin, and maybe another mid-level prospect, don't many teams have wild/big velo raw or failing prospects that the Twins might be able to "fix?" They've sure been dumping a lot of guys that fit that description who are now throwing in major league bullpens. :banghead:

    Edited by jokin
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    killertwinfan

    killertwinfan 166

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    I may be wrong, but I don't think we got anything of "value" for Austin.  Something is better than nothing because there is always a chance things could go well for Zigler but I expect he will disappear without  a trace in the near future.  

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    yarnivek1972

    yarnivek1972 6,290

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

      On 4/9/2019 at 9:09 PM, killertwinfan said:

    I may be wrong, but I don't think we got anything of "value" for Austin. Something is better than nothing because there is always a chance things could go well for Zigler but I expect he will disappear without a trace in the near future.

     

    I liked that show...

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    nicksaviking

    nicksaviking 26,755

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

      On 4/9/2019 at 5:16 AM, Mike Sixel said:

    Apparently not for Austin.

    And yes, they need high end pitching. But then most teams do....

    I would have even preferred low end pitching and see if Was Johnson is truly magical.

     

    But either way I’m glad they ripped the band aid off now instead of letting it linger into the summer. I think it was better for the anxious fans on both sides of the debate. And certainly better for Austin.

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    Mike Sixel

    Mike Sixel 41,021

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

      On 4/9/2019 at 11:16 PM, h2oface said:

    All those at bats. For what? I fear Rooker will be the same. It just seems like a waste in the end.

    Because you don't know, and there were no other good options. Why not? And maybe Rooker will be the same, but most second round picks are about that.

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