Twins Sign Infielder Ty France to One-Year Deal

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The Minnesota Twins have signed veteran infielder Ty France to a one-year contract, confirming the move on Tuesday. The agreement is pending a physical examination, a team source revealed.

France, 30, will fill the roster spot previously occupied by left-handed pitcher Brent Headrick, who was waived and claimed by the New York Yankees earlier in the day. This acquisition comes as the Twins seek to solidify their first-base position after the departure of Gold Glove winner Carlos Santana, who returned to the Cleveland Guardians.

Previously with the Seattle Mariners and subsequently the Cincinnati Reds, France recorded a subpar season in 2024, batting just .234 with 13 home runs and 51 runs batted in across 535 combined plate appearances. Although his past two seasons have been disappointing, France was an All-Star in 2022 and boasted a solid batting line of .283/.353/.440 during his productive years in Seattle.

France’s career totals include a batting average of .263 and an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of .744, with 74 home runs. With a history of line drives and decent power, he is expected to compete primarily for the starting job at first base against relatively inexperienced contenders like Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien.

“We believe Ty brings an added level of experience and depth to our infield,” said Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey. “We are confident that he can bounce back to his previous form, considering his track record.”

In his prime years from 2021 to 2022, France accumulated 7.5 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), indicating his potential to return to that production level in a new environment. The Twins will rely on his right-handed bat to complement the lineup, particularly against left-handed pitchers.

Although France is predominantly a first baseman, he is versatile enough to play second and third base if needed. However, his defense has drawn mixed reviews. Defensive metrics indicated a decline in his performance during the 2023 season, where he was labeled among the least effective defenders in the league.

“I’m excited for the opportunity with the Twins and am ready to contribute to the team’s success,” France stated shortly after the signing was announced. “I’ve always enjoyed playing at Target Field, and I look forward to being part of this roster.”

The Twins have also made other recent signings, including outfielder Harrison Bader and reliever Danny Coulombe, rounding out their roster with experienced players on one-year deals. The management aims to address multiple positional needs during this offseason.

As the team prepares for Spring Training, it will remain to be seen how the depth added by France and others will play into the Twins’ overall strategy for the 2025 season. With several options now in the mix, there are possibilities for future trades, as indicated by Falvey. “We’re keeping our eyes open to all avenues to improve the team,” he added.