The Twins¡¯ late-winter shopping spree continues. Minnesota agreed to a one-year Major League deal with veteran infielder Ty France, the club announced on Saturday. The deal is worth $1 million non-guaranteed, a source told MLB.com.
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.