The city of Minneapolis According to a source with knowledge of the agreement, the Minnesota Twins and free agent first baseman Ty France reached a one-year agreement on Tuesday, bringing the 2022 All-Star to the mix at their most disputed position.
Since the deal was still pending, the individual talked to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity. After being placed on waivers, the Seattle Mariners moved France to the Cincinnati Reds last summer, where he has played for the most of his career. France was transferred to the Mariners in 2020 after being selected by the San Diego Padres in the draft and making his main league debut with them in 2019.
From 2021–2023, France was the Mariners’ regular first baseman for three complete seasons, batting.272 with a.415 slugging percentage and a.763 OPS. In 2021, he led the majors in hits by pitches (27), and in 2023, he led with 34. He hit 20 home runs and 83 RBIs in 140 games in 2022.
When the 30-year-old France turned down a Reds outright assignment to Triple-A, he became a free agent in November. He will open the Twins’ first full-squad practice in Fort Myers, Florida, on Monday, giving them an experienced bat to think about. Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien are both good choices with a lot of offensive potential at first base, where Carlos Santana left in free agency to join the Cleveland Guardians. It will be difficult to replace Santana’s defense, who was named the 2024 AL Gold Glove winner.
First baseman Mike Ford is one of 16 players invited to spring training on minor league contracts that Minnesota will also consider. Last season, Ford played in 17 games for the Reds, his sixth big league squad in six years. With a.798 OPS in 2023, he hit a career-high 16 home runs in 83 games for the Mariners.
With their payroll in a holding pattern, the Twins have had yet another quiet offseason. The only other notable signings prior to France were the signing of backup outfielder Harrison Bader and left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe last week.
On Tuesday, the Twins had two bullpen pitchers claimed off waivers: left-hander Brent Headrick to the New York Yankees and right-hander Ronny Henriquez to the Miami Marlins. Headrick’s exit made room on the 40-man roster for France. In order to create place for Coulombe, who was signed to a $3 million, one-year contract, Henriquez was designated for assignment on Friday.
In order to make room for outfielder Harrison Bader, who signed a contract worth a guaranteed $6.25 million that includes a mutual 2026 option and bonuses that would pay him up to $7.75 million in 2025 alone if he plays regularly, the Twins also traded outfielder Michael Helman to the St. Louis Cardinals last week in exchange for cash.
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