Veteran 1B France agrees to 1-year deal with Twins (source)
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The Twins¡¯ late-winter shopping spree continues. Minnesota agreed to a one-year Major League deal Tuesday with veteran infielder Ty France, sources told MLB.com. The club has not confirmed the deal, which is worth $1 million non-guaranteed, per a source.
France most likely becomes the leading candidate to be the Twins¡¯ primary first baseman, which was the team¡¯s biggest remaining positional question as Spring Training approaches. Carlos Santana departed as a free agent after a strong 2024 and had not yet been replaced.
France, 30, spent most of last season with Seattle before a Trade Deadline deal to the Reds. He posted a combined slash line of .234/.305/.365 with 13 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 46 runs scored. He enjoyed strong seasons with the Mariners in 2021 and 2022, earning an All-Star nod in ¡¯22.
For his career, France is a .263/.337/.407 hitter with 74 home runs in 2,819 plate appearances. He¡¯s played mostly first base in the Major Leagues but also spent a little bit of time at second and third, making him one of several Twins infielders who could be stationed at multiple spots.
France would replace Brent Headrick on the 40-man roster. Earlier in the day, Headrick was claimed off waivers by the Yankees.