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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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    h2oface

    h2oface 7,066

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    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.

     

    I guess there is always that hope that it will change, and the Ks will be reasonable and the fielding will get good enough.....but I think you pretty much do know, and when they face even better pitching and fielding than the minors, things aren't really going to change. But hope is captivating, if not productive at times.

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    howieramone2

    howieramone2 1,198

  • 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.  

    We gave up nothing, we received nothing in return. Seems like a fair trade to me.

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    Doomtints

    Doomtints 2,816

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Not if Cron is good and Austin isn't. Plus, they have about 8 guys in AAA, AA, A+ that have Austin's hit tool, but that can also play OF or 1B better than him. 

     

    So far, Austin is better than Cron and I expect that to continue. Don't you? I'm very surprised everyone is writing off Austin and seem not at all suspicious of Cron. I would have made the opposite decision every day of the week.

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    Mr. Brooks

    Mr. Brooks 7,174

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

    So far, Austin is better than Cron and I expect that to continue. Don't you? I'm very surprised everyone is writing off Austin and seem not at all suspicious of Cron. I would have made the opposite decision every day of the week.

    Same.

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    Mike Sixel

    Mike Sixel 41,021

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

    So far, Austin is better than Cron and I expect that to continue. Don't you? I'm very surprised everyone is writing off Austin and seem not at all suspicious of Cron. I would have made the opposite decision every day of the week.

     

    I would not have signed Cron, but they did. Once they did, there wasn't really any way Austin stays on this roster if everyone is healthy. I would have used that money on pitching.....

     

    And, I'm just not worried about it. They have Rooker, Kiriloff, Wade, Weil, Lanarch, Jeffers, Garver and others that can move to 1B next year. While I think Austin can probably hit, I don't know that. I am confident 2-4 of those guys will, and that they can also play 1B and the OF better than Austin. 

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    Mike Sixel

    Mike Sixel 41,021

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

    So far, Austin is better than Cron and I expect that to continue. Don't you? I'm very surprised everyone is writing off Austin and seem not at all suspicious of Cron. I would have made the opposite decision every day of the week.

     

    We're going off this year's sample size, and not last year and projecting likely outcomes? I'm not ready to do that....you might be....

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    Mr. Brooks

    Mr. Brooks 7,174

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

    I would not have signed Cron, but they did. Once they did, there wasn't really any way Austin stays on this roster if everyone is healthy. I would have used that money on pitching.....

     

    And, I'm just not worried about it. They have Rooker, Kiriloff, Wade, Weil, Lanarch, Jeffers, Garver and others that can move to 1B next year. While I think Austin can probably hit, I don't know that. I am confident 2-4 of those guys will, and that they can also play 1B and the OF better than Austin.

    Austin isn't an outfielder, and I don't think Wade, Larnach or Kiriloff will be first basemen any time soon.

     

    I'd hope Garver is a catcher, not a first baseman.

     

    IMO, Rooker's CEILING is what Austin is now, though I know I'm the low man on him.

     

    They didn't have to sign Cron, so I don't think it's fair to dismiss that part of the equation. They chose that path, it was only a roster crunch because of that choice.

     

    Aside from Kiriloff, and maybe Larnach, all of those prospects you mention are longshots to ever develop into MLB starters. I'm surprised people are counting those chickens before they hatch.

     

    I don't expect Austin to be an Ortiz level mistake, but I think as his power continues to develop, and as he figures out hitting right handers, this will be a mistake.

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    Mike Sixel

    Mike Sixel 41,021

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

    Austin isn't an outfielder, and I don't think Wade, Larnach or Kiriloff will be first basemen any time soon.

    I'd hope Garver is a catcher, not a first baseman.

    IMO, Rooker's CEILING is what Austin is now, though I know I'm the low man on him.

    They didn't have to sign Cron, so I don't think it's fair to dismiss that part of the equation. They chose that path, it was only a roster crunch because of that choice.

    Aside from Kiriloff, and maybe Larnach, all of those prospects you mention are longshots to ever develop into MLB starters. I'm surprised people are counting those chickens before they hatch.

    I don't expect Austin to be an Ortiz level mistake, but I think as his power continues to develop, and as he figures out hitting right handers, this will be a mistake.

     

    I literally said 2 of them might hit, not sure how I'm counting chickens........I left off Baddoo and about 6 other players in the minors that can probably hit and field as well as Austin will. Of course any ONE of them is a long shot, but it isn't a long shot that they have a replacement level player that will play 1B and DH in their system.......

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    Brock Beauchamp

    Brock Beauchamp 39,328

  • Administrator

    • Posted

     

    IMO, Rooker's CEILING is what Austin is now, though I know I'm the low man on him.

    That doesn't seem fair, as Rooker and Austin are basically the same person through their age 23 seasons. In Austin's age 24 season (repeating AAA), he broke back into .900 OPS territory after scuffling at sub-.750 levels for two seasons. Rooker could easily bounce back to .900 OPS territory this year in Rochester.

     

    Essentially, Rooker has posted two .900+ OPS seasons and one .800 OPS season. I'm not sure why you'd think he's significantly different than Austin, other than Austin is older and has actually gotten a chance to hit MLB pitching, albeit at a pretty pedestrian rate.

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    jkcarew

    jkcarew 3,876

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Again, the early tea-leaves indicate Austin might be used to platoon at 1B and come off the bench. Last night's starter for the opponent was a lefty. Austin started at first, and Belt moved to LF. Let's see what happens when they see a few right-handed starters.

     

    Bottom line, it's kind of moot. Once Cron was signed, there was no way Austin was going to remain on the 25-man roster all year, or even very long (outside of injury to Cron/Cruz).

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    Brock Beauchamp

    Brock Beauchamp 39,328

  • Administrator

    • Posted

     

    I’m surprised anyone really cares they traded Joe Benson—I mean, Tyler Austin.

    Exactly. I can never figure out why people fail to realize how fungible questionable bat-first, corner "prospects" are in baseball.

     

    Yeah, you'll occasionally get burned by releasing the wrong one. But in between those mistakes, you'll likely jettison a bunch of Kennys Vargas, Joe Benson, et al type of players and not play a subpar player in MLB games in the meantime, nor will you waste a roster spot better used on a more flexible player with upside.

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    Otto von Ballpark

    Otto von Ballpark 20,320

  • Community Leader

    • Posted

     

    Exactly. I can never figure out why people fail to realize how fungible questionable bat-first, corner "prospects" are in baseball.

     

    Yeah, you'll occasionally get burned by releasing the wrong one. But in between those mistakes, you'll likely jettison a bunch of Kennys Vargas, Joe Benson, et al type of players and not play a subpar player in MLB games in the meantime, nor will you waste a roster spot better used on a more flexible player with upside.

    FWIW, Benson was primarily a CF in the minors for the Twins, and I don't believe he was considered a liability there defensively.

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    diehardtwinsfan

    diehardtwinsfan 14,830

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

     

    Trading five years of Austin for one year of Cron is bad management.

     

    Isn't Cron arb eligible yet next year?

     

    Also, keep in mind that they have Rooker, Weil, Larnach, and Kirilloff all factoring into this conversation as early as next year. 

     

    Austin was a part of a log jam. I figured they would try to keep him (I sure would have), but eventually not... They got something of value there, so from that aspect, I'm happy.

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    Dman

    Dman 7,149

  • Verified Member

    • Posted (edited)

     

    So far, Austin is better than Cron and I expect that to continue. Don't you? I'm very surprised everyone is writing off Austin and seem not at all suspicious of Cron. I would have made the opposite decision every day of the week.

     

    Good in what way?  OPS for the moment?  I think that 41% K rate is going to catch up to him eventually.  He also has a .750 BABIP I am sure he can keep that up all season.  

     

    Don't get me wrong I like Austin but if you Like Austin then you should like Rooker just as much as they are the same player.  Only Difference is that if you have a log jam at 1st base \ DH Rooker has options. Based on the numbers I think the Twins did the right thing here.

    Edited by Dman
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    nicksaviking

    nicksaviking 26,755

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

     

    FWIW, Benson was primarily a CF in the minors for the Twins, and I don't believe he was considered a liability there defensively.

     

    Yeah, comparing Austin and his one tool isn't fair to Benson who at least had three.

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    Riverbrian

    Riverbrian 32,096

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

    This is how it works... The front office brought in competition for Mauer's replacement and they made their selection. 

     

    They might be right... They might be wrong. These decisions are made on razor thin margins. 

     

    I personally believe in Austin... I may be right... I might be wrong. 

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    yarnivek1972

    yarnivek1972 6,290

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    This is how it works... The front office brought in competition for Mauer's replacement and they made their selection.

     

    They might be right... They might be wrong. These decisions are made on razor thin margins.

     

    I personally believe in Austin... I may be right... I might be wrong.

    You may be right

    I may be crazy

    But it just might be a lunatic you’re lokking for...

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    Riverbrian

    Riverbrian 32,096

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

    Exactly. I can never figure out why people fail to realize how fungible questionable bat-first, corner "prospects" are in baseball.

     

    Yeah, you'll occasionally get burned by releasing the wrong one. But in between those mistakes, you'll likely jettison a bunch of Kennys Vargas, Joe Benson, et al type of players and not play a subpar player in MLB games in the meantime, nor will you waste a roster spot better used on a more flexible player with upside.

     

    I'm not sure Joe Benson fits into your example but I believe you are correct on the overall point. 

     

    There are a pile of hitter only 1B types with minor league contracts in AAA and a pile of them (all named Matt) who are backups at the major league level just waiting to be replaced by someone younger. If you can't play defense... they move you to 1B and it has caused a bottle neck with this ilk. 

     

    Because Tyler Austin can only play 1B, his career will most likely be short unless he can turn himself into a young Pujols or something. Not being able to play OF forces him to fight his way through the hit only 1B bottleneck. There just isn't enough jobs. 

     

    I believe in Tyler Austin and only question if Cron is actually better... but without the ability to defend elsewhere... Both Cron and Austin are eventual DFA material because there are Cron's and Austin's all over the place. 

     

    When the Twins didn't play Austin in the OF during spring training... It was over for him. 30 Bombs a year 1B's are not as necessary now that middle infielders are hitting 20 Bombs. 

     

     

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    bird

    bird 6,083

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Exactly. I can never figure out why people fail to realize how fungible questionable bat-first, corner "prospects" are in baseball.

     

    Yeah, you'll occasionally get burned by releasing the wrong one. But in between those mistakes, you'll likely jettison a bunch of Kennys Vargas, Joe Benson, et al type of players and not play a subpar player in MLB games in the meantime, nor will you waste a roster spot better used on a more flexible player with upside.

     

    Some angst here about all the wrong things. The only thing that matters, really, is that the Twins are trying to win in 2019. If Austin were to get lots of playing time INSTEAD of Cron as suggested by a couple of people here, they might be losing about 2 WAR. And who in their right mind wants Austin over Astudillo, Cave, or even Adrianza if 2019 wins is your goal? I could care less about Austin, even if he ends up being capable of securing a roster spot like John Hicks has done in Detroit? Good for him, and big deal.

     

    They still have Luis Rijo, Ziegler, and cash savings as a return for two months of Lynn. Precisely what I want to see my FO do. Get a return for even your more marginal surplus assets, and always avoid plugging some  -0.7 WAR guy in as the 25th man. 

     

    Good move.

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    Brock Beauchamp

    Brock Beauchamp 39,328

  • Administrator

    • Posted

    FWIW, Benson was primarily a CF in the minors for the Twins, and I don't believe he was considered a liability there defensively.

    You’re right. For some reason I thought Benson was injured and that sapped his up the middle defense but now that I think of it, I’m likely confusing him with someone else defensively.
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    Otto von Ballpark

    Otto von Ballpark 20,320

  • Community Leader

    • Posted

     

    You’re right. For some reason I thought Benson was injured and that sapped his up the middle defense but now that I think of it, I’m likely confusing him with someone else defensively.

    Benson was hurt a bit in his last 2 seasons in the Twins org. Not sure if it really affected his defense -- his bat was bad enough those seasons that it probably didn't matter!

     

    I just noticed that Benson was drafted out of Joliet Catholic Academy. It's a shame he didn't stick around, he could have been known as "Joliet Joe" and on a mission from God!

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    jkcarew

    jkcarew 3,876

  • Verified Member

    • Posted (edited)

     

    Belt to LF (made a small handful of appearances in the OF in 2018)...Austin to 1B. They’re not going to play Austin in the OF.

    Wrong! Austin gets a start in LF against a lefty. Belt benched, and Buster Posey plays first base. So, they'd rather have Austin in the OF than Buster Posey. (Austin was removed for a left-handed pinch-hitter later in the game.)

    Edited by jkcarew
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