According to Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune, Twins first baseman Ty France is "going to play a lot" during the 2025 season. France signed a one-year deal with Minnesota earlier in February and could have a path to a starting role at first base. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor France's status during spring training, but it seems he is entering camp as the clear favorite for the starting job. Last season, France posted a career-worst .234/.305/.365 line, split between time with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds. He hit 13 home runs. He posted a modest 21.3 percent strikeout rate and a below-average 7.3 percent walk rate. If France were to see these struggles continue in camp, Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien could also be in the mix for starts at first base. If he earns the starting job, he is worth a look in AL-only formats.
The Minnesota Twins signed former Seattle Mariners All-Star infielder Ty France to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, pending a physical. France, who had an .813 OPS in 2021 with Seattle, is an interesting addition to a first base picture in Minnesota that also includes Jose Miranda, Edouard Julien and Mickey Gasper. The 30-year-old right-handed hitter began the 2024 campaign with the M's but was eventually cut and latched on with the Cincinnati Reds to close out the year. He hit a combined .234/.305/.365 with a below-average .670 OPS, 13 home runs, 51 RBI and 46 runs scored in 140 games. He was a bit better with the Reds in 52 games, hitting .251 with five homers and 20 RBI. France has been in decline offensively since his All-Star campaign in 2022 with the M's and will probably only have a part-time role in Minnesota, at best.
As he looks to land with a team in free agency this winter, first baseman Ty France is reportedly willing to catch, according to sources. Over 10 teams have shown interest in France, according to sources, and at least one club has offered him a guaranteed offer. The 30-year-old right-handed slugger has primarily played first base in his career, but he's also seen time at second and third base in the majors and initially made the San Diego Padres' major-league roster as a utility man and third-string catcher early in his career. France is on the open market this offseason after he hit a combined .234/.305/.365 with a career-low .670 OPS, 13 home runs and 51 RBI in 140 games with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds in 2024. He was an All-Star for the first time in 2022, though, and should get a look as at least a platoon bat at first base/designated hitter with whatever team he joins.
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Ty France is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's contest against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in the series finale. Dominic Smith will start at the cold corner and will hit seventh against Pirates right-hander Luis L. Ortiz. France appears to be on the short side of a platoon in Cincy with Smith, as he's been on the bench for two of the last three games against right-handed pitching. The 30-year-old was cut by the Seattle Mariners after hitting .223/.312/.350 with eight home runs, 31 RBI and 83 strikeouts in 88 games. Since joining the Reds, he has gone 16-for-67 (.239) with three home runs, four doubles and seven RBI. The fact that France isn't playing regularly with Jeimer Candelario (toe) on the injured list, doesn't bode well for his fantasy value the rest of the year with his new squad.
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Ty France hit his first homer since being traded by the Seattle Mariners in Monday's 10-3 win at the Miami Marlins. France's 413-foot shot came in the top of the fifth inning, highlighting a 3-for-4 evening that also marked his first multi-hit game with his new team. France is hitting .224/.308/.356 with nine homers, 32 RBI, and 30 runs scored. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider giving France a second look now that he is in a more productive lineup than he was with the Mariners while hitting near the bottom of the order, where he is better suited.
The Cincinnati Reds acquired first baseman Ty France from the Seattle Mariners on Monday. France was designated for assignment by the Mariners last week, but Cincinnati will take a chance on the veteran. The 30-year-old has struggled for most of the season, hitting just .223 with eight home runs, 14 doubles, and 31 RBI across 88 games. With Christian Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) likely out for the season, though, France gives the team another option at first base. To complete this deal, the Reds sent minor league catcher Andruw Salcedo back to Seattle.
Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France cleared waivers on Tuesday and has been outrighted off the team's 40-man roster after being designated for assignment, according to a source. The Mariners have moved on from France as they seek more offense at the position at the big-league level, opting for first base prospect Tyler Locklear for the time being. The 30-year-old veteran right-handed hitter was a first-time All-Star in Seattle in 2022 but has fallen off at the plate since and was hitting just .223 (67-for-300) with eight home runs, 14 doubles and 31 RBI in 340 plate appearances over 88 games this year. For now, he'll report to Triple-A Tacoma with an outside chance of returning to the major-league roster later in the second half. But fantasy managers that still had France on their rosters can let go now.
Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France has been placed on outright waivers by the organization on Sunday. This comes as a bit of a shock considering France was an All-Star a few years ago. However, the 30-year-old has been slumping at the plate over the last two seasons. If he passes through waivers unclaimed, Seattle would be able to outright him to Triple-A or France can refuse and become a free agent. Despite his recent struggles there should be a contending organization willing to give him a shot. This season, France is slashing .224/.313/.351 with eight home runs and 31 RBI in 87 games. The Mariners appear to be committed to Tyler Locklear as their full-time option at first base.
Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Houston Astros. France has struggled to the tune of a .224/.313/.351 slash line with eight home runs and 31 RBI through 87 games this season. That being said, the Mariners will give him a day off to help him get back on track. In his absence, Luke Raley will cover first base while Dylan Moore plays left field versus right-hander Ronel Blanco on Sunday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly.
Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France (undisclosed) has been scratched from Saturday's starting lineup against the hosting Kansas City Royals. The 29-year-old went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, a walk, an RBI, a run scored, and a hit-by-pitch in Friday's loss to the Royals but seemingly felt some discomfort while doing infield drills prior to Saturday afternoon's contest. It's been a nice season so far for France, who is hitting .251 with seven homers and a .732 OPS across 61 appearances, production that grades out 16% above the league average, as per his 116 wRC+. It's also worth noting that France has increased his walk rate to 8% this season (versus his 6.5% career average), but his 23.6% strikeout rate sits well above his 18.2% career mark. He remains a bubble first baseman given his lack of power at a corner-infield spot.
