What Does Ty France Mean for José Miranda's Role With the 2025 Twins?

[Cody Schoenmann]

The Twins brought in the 30-year-old veteran first baseman on a one-year, $1 million non-guaranteed contract. What does his addition mean for presumed primary first baseman José Miranda?

After being priced out of a reunion with beloved veteran first baseman Carlos Santana earlier this offseason, the Minnesota Twins have made a concerted effort to fortify the position on the margins, acquiring depth options Mickey Gasper (trade with the Boston Red Sox) and Mike Ford (MiLB contract) earlier this offseason. That trend continued mid-Tuesday afternoon as the organization shelled out its remaining financial resources, signing Ty France to a one-year, $1 million non-guaranteed deal. 

Acquired by the Seattle Mariners in 2020 as part of a trade package from the San Diego Padres, France excelled during his first two-and-a-half seasons in the Pacific Northwest, posting a combined 129 wRC+ over 1,357 plate appearances. Unfortunately, since the start of the 2023 MLB regular season, the husky francophone (I don't know if he actually speaks French, but my limited Gen-Z critical thinking skills tell me he has to, based on his last name) a less inspiring combined 99 wRC+ over 1,200 plate appearances. His offensive ineptitude reached a boiling point last summer, resulting in him posting a grim 65 wRC+ over 129 plate appearances from June through July. 

Seattle elected to part ways with France, sending him to the Cincinnati Reds for minor-league catcher Andruw Salcedo just days before the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline. The then-29-year-old right-handed hitting corner infielder did improve with the Reds. However, he still generated a below-league-average 82 wRC+ over 195 plate appearances. Evidently, France has fallen from grace, causing him to go from being considered one of the most offensive-skilled young first baseman in MLB to signing a non-guaranteed contract worth only $240,000 more than the league minimum in two-and-a-half seasons. 

Despite his recent struggles, Twins decision-makers elected to take a chance on the now 30-year-old first baseman/designated hitter, hoping he can return to his pre-2023 form. Again, France's addition exists on the margins, meaning it won't affect the core of the team. That said, he will carve out extended opportunities at first base and designated hitter, meaning Edouard Julien and José Miranda could experience fewer opportunities than they were expected to receive just a handful of days ago. However, the fact that Julien hits left-handed and can play second base (a trait neither France nor Miranda possesses) means he will presumably be able to carve out a role against right-handed starting pitching unimpacted by France. 

Miranda also possesses the ability to play a position France cannot in third base. Yet, as long as Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee stay healthy, Miranda's opportunities at the hot corner will be sparse. That being the case, France's addition will most significantly impact Miranda as the two will compete for playing time at first base and designated hitter. The two will be able to coexist when the club faces left-handed starting pitchers, as one could play first base with the other being the designated hitter. Those opportunities will be limited, though, as facing a left-handed starting pitcher is an infrequent occurrence in today's game. 

Over his first 3,396 1/3 innings played at first base, France demonstrated league-average defense, netting -5 OAA over that stretch. However, he fell off a cliff last season defensively, generating -12 OAA over 1,105 innings. Still, there is reason to suspect last season was an outlier, and he is closer to the steadier force he was the previous three seasons. On the other hand, Miranda has netted just 698 innings at first base, yielding a similarly lackluster -4 OAA during that stretch. Both are underwhelming defensive options at first base, particularly considering Santana's Gold Glove-winning performance last season. Nevertheless, France netting 3,803 1/3 more innings at the position over his career could be reason for the club to provide him more opportunities to begin the season.

Debating whether France or Miranda will earn more playing time at first base is an exhausting quandary that could have been avoided if ownership were just a tad more charitable and allowed the front office to sign Santana or another veteran like Josh Bell or Paul Goldschmidt. Unfortunately, that is not the reality we live in. Miranda is the better and more promising player. Yet, given his relative inexperience at first base and tendency to undergo extreme fluctuations in performance (likely caused by injury), the Twins could reasonably opt to provide France the bulk of opportunities over Miranda at first base to begin the season. 

If France can rediscover any semblance of his pre-2023 form, he could quickly become the team's primary first baseman. In that case, Miranda would inhabit the same role he played last season, switching between designated hitter, first base, and third base on a game-to-game basis depending on his performance and the availability of other corner infielders. The Twins front office and Manager Rocco Baldelli highly value positional flexibility, meaning Miranda will still receive ample opportunity on the field and at the plate. Still, the acquisition of France likely stunts any plans of him becoming the team's full-time starting first baseman this season. 

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[BillyBallLives]

France sucks. 

My guess is Miranda won't have to worry about feeling like a lost tourist in Paris."

[old nurse]

It means Miranda, Lee and Julian have more competition for a job. It is means either the front office is either not sure they are up for the job or have no confidence if and when one of them will be injured or perform below expectations. They had so other disaster plan, no France is it, even though he also could be a disaster 

[TwinsDr2021]

IMO, he was brought in as first base depth, but more importantly to DH against Lefties. With the current bench of Vazquez, Castro, Bader and (Martin/Julien/Lee depending on who the primary second basemen is) doesn't really leave a DH against lefties. I think they realized Castro just isn't good enough to be a full time player and definitely not worthy of a being a DH against lefties (,674 OPS last year and .686 career), Bader isn't worthy of a DH position and most likely will be starting for Larnach or Wallner. Julien, Martin and Lee aren't either (depending on who is even on the roster)  Plus if Lee is the starting 2B, they might put Miranda at 3B and France at first against the tougher righties and give Lewis a rest if Martin is the guy on the bench and not Julien.

[Dman]

Many others have summed it up as floor move and I tend to agree. Maybe that's all that needs to be said.

Technically France isn't signed just yet.  He has to make the final 26 to get paid and if he does make it he's only being paid 1M. 

Still I find it hard to believe he could displace Miranda at 1st base.  Miranda has better power and makes lot's of contact.  Maybe it is a hedge on a platoon split with some DH mixed in for both if they believe France's bat is back to All Star level form?  Hard to say, but I will say the risk is low with the possibility of cutting him or only paying him 1M.  

It's not a high ceiling move it's more of break glass in case of emergency move IMO.

 

[HerbieFan]

I honestly don't think it affects Miranda.  It gives the Twins another option but either way, Miranda is going to have to show in ST that he can handle the position on a semi-regular basis.  Ditto, I guess, for Julien.  I'm just really down on Eddie

[garn from vancouver]

as said above, likely more a DH/pitch bat than a first baseman. however, his locker could be empty before camps ends.

[RpR]

It means Lewis had better  do lot better job at Third or Miranda will.

[arby58]

It really doesn't mean anything - it's just the Twins taking a flyer on him with absolutely nothing to lose. They don't like him, ,they aren't out anything, regular season contract-wise. It's somewhat surprising France agreed to the deal, but I suspect he looked around and didn't see any Twin at the position that he couldn't beat out if he has a good spring.

[ashbury]

6 minutes ago, arby58 said:

They don't like him, ,they aren't out anything, regular season contract-wise.

Contract-wise, specifically, yes.  But they like him well enough they risked, and lost, so-so lefty Brent Headrick.  Would I have traded Headrick for France even-up last Trade Deadline?  Probably not.  Has France improved in the meantime, by getting healthier?  Seems to be what the Twins FO is thinking, because they made this "trade."

[arby58]

19 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Contract-wise, specifically, yes.  But they like him well enough they risked, and lost, so-so lefty Brent Headrick.  Would I have traded Headrick for France even-up last Trade Deadline?  Probably not.  Has France improved in the meantime, by getting healthier?  Seems to be what the Twins FO is thinking, because they made this "trade."

You may be right about the 'trade' last season, but the hand writing was on the wall for Headrick when the Twins signed Danny Coulombe (who they didn't have at the 'trade' deadline). Headrick's 27, and in 28.2 MLB innings has put up a 1.43 WHIP - not a good number for a relief pitcher (or any pitcher, for that matter). 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

If Miranda isn't the starting 1B on opening day, something went horribly wrong.

France is fine...as a depth signing. I'd be surprised if he's being counted on for anything other than that.

As for names like Bell / Goldschmidt / Rizzo / Turner, et al.. Sure, maybe the Twins are cheap. Or, maybe they just have enough confidence in Miranda that they weren't even considering those guys.

[DocBauer]

Miranda is younger, would seem to have the better overall bat, and has a future with the team whereas France is probably a 1 and done.

Also, Miranda, so far, has actually hit RHP better than LHP, which is fine by me. For his career, France is pretty neutral, so there really is no major advantage to either of them in that regard. 

Miranda should be the primary 1B. Period. France plays there when Miranda gets a day or half day off, or fills in at 3B for a day. Otherwise, France is a DH and possible solid PH due to his neutral splits.

I don't think Miranda is affected negatively at all.

[arby58]

1 minute ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

If Miranda isn't the starting 1B on opening day, something went horribly wrong.

France is fine...as a depth signing. I'd be surprised if he's being counted on for anything other than that.

As for names like Bell / Goldschmidt / Rizzo / Turner, et al.. Sure, maybe the Twins are cheap. Or, maybe they just have enough confidence in Miranda that they weren't even considering those guys.

Goldschmidt in particular is 37 and coming off a season where he put up a 98 OPS+. Miranda's OPS+ was 112. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Biggest threat to Miranda - the injury bug. If he's healthy, the 1B job is his.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Just now, arby58 said:

Goldschmidt in particular is 37 and coming off a season where he put up a 98 OPS+. Miranda's OPS+ was 112. 

Yup. Goldschmidt is better in theory than reality. He's on the downside of a great career. Would rather Miranda at this point.

[bean5302]

Headrick was clearly only on the 40 man roster because "why not?" when the Twins had room for him. You could just as easily argue any number of guys the Twins have brought in on the 40 man were the cause for Headrick's departure as the roster simply ran out of space.

[Doctor Gast]

Twins' projected roster has France at 1B. I don't know what stunt they are trying to pull off but this is ridiculous. I hope France has regained his hitting prowess & be our DH & help support 1B which we need but not primary 1B. France has been bad defensively for a while let Miranda finally have a chance to get better there by having the primary 1B job. 

[PatPfund]

The contract clearly makes this an extended spring tryout/France-showcase. It is a nice move by the team to give Miranda/Julien competition, and it is a nice move by France to recover from a dreadful season, and zero interest from other teams; a plan WAY better than sitting at home doing nothing. If he hits well, he might earn a temporary spot on the Twins, and if not, other employers can see the turnaround and sign him. But if Miranda looks healthy and is smacking the ball, and Julien is hitting like two years ago (and pretty much every year in pro ball other than '24), then the Twins probably move on from France regardless of how he is playing (while keeping his number handy). Even if he makes the team out of ST, the low pay makes him disposable in-season, or even a possible sell-high trade chip.

[TwinsDr2021]

9 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Yup. Goldschmidt is better in theory than reality. He's on the downside of a great career. Would rather Miranda at this point.

Not saying they should have signed Goldschmidt, but 14 years he was below 120 three times and 4 below 125.

[Riverbrian]

If he makes the club... He's going to short side until injuries make him long side. The question is where? 1B, DH or 2B. 

 

[stringer bell]

Well, the Twins could drop him before Opening Day (very unlikely) and they only owe him pre-arb money basically. I expect he gets ABs as the RH DH and some starts against right handers. 
 

France has had fewer injuries in his career than either Miranda or Lewis and he is five years older, so maybe having him around for the inevitable injury siege makes sense. Unless he shows something like his 2022 form, he shouldn’t be playing every day. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

Miranda really hasn't been a very good 1B. Really not that good at 3B either. Neither has Lewis. Maybe Brooks Lee? Looks best at 3B.  Then again is France anymore than ho hum at 1B? Julien not the answer anywhere. Infield looks like a mess to me, aside from Correa. They all better hit.

[Western SD Fan]

One part that I haven't heard anyone discuss as of yet is that this is also a tryout for Ty France for potentially signing with other teams.  Stranger things have happened than the FO bringing in some competition for the younger players to motivate them to secure the job.  We have all seen a player that seems to have an excellent spring but still doesn't make the team.  Considering this is not a guaranteed contract, France basically gets the workout of a spring training and an audition for another team in case he doesn't make the current roster.

[mickster]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

Miranda is younger, would seem to have the better overall bat, and has a future with the team whereas France is probably a 1 and done.

Also, Miranda, so far, has actually hit RHP better than LHP, which is fine by me. For his career, France is pretty neutral, so there really is no major advantage to either of them in that regard. 

Miranda should be the primary 1B. Period. France plays there when Miranda gets a day or half day off, or fills in at 3B for a day. Otherwise, France is a DH and possible solid PH due to his neutral splits.

I don't think Miranda is affected negatively at all.

Depth against a potential trade that includes either Julien or Miranda as well.  Boston just signed Bergman and look intent on playing him at 2B.   However an offer off Miranda, SWR and Martin might get Casas to MN

[mikelink45]

Give me the young guy and let him grow with experience.  I will be very disappointed if France takes playing time away from Miranda.

[thelanges5]

Maybe it’s Julien who is more impacted. Is it just me or is the 2B situation murky?

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, arby58 said:

You may be right about the 'trade' last season, but the hand writing was on the wall for Headrick when the Twins signed Danny Coulombe (who they didn't have at the 'trade' deadline). Headrick's 27, and in 28.2 MLB innings has put up a 1.43 WHIP - not a good number for a relief pitcher (or any pitcher, for that matter). 

I've never woofed for Headrick and I'm not going to defend him now.   He's lefty and he's breathing, so he'll continue getting chances, and another poster aptly characterized him as a "why not?" 40-man choice.  The Yankees, far from a joke team, apparently saw the same value since they seem to be light on lefties at the moment, so now he's the Yankees' why-not guy.  He hasn't yet regressed into a "why?" guy.  😀  But that doesn't mean there was any trade value before Headrick was put on waivers.

Still, 40-man spots have value and the team liked France enough to give him one in preference to whoever they were considering, in a situation where the contract usually is MiLB with a Spring invite and then the $1M commitment if he makes the 26-man roster.  I suppose the 40-man spot was some kind of sweetener to induce France to agree, since being on the 40-man does confer certain perks.

All I'm saying is that there is more of an investment by the Twins than the potential $1M.  Which makes me question the investment on a guy like him, unless their talent evaluation is better now than when they plucked guys like Margot.  He's simply a slightly more expensive why-not guy.  Why?

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

...and another poster aptly characterized him as a "why not?" 40-man choice.  The Yankees, far from a joke team, apparently saw the same value since they seem to be light on lefties at the moment, so now he's the Yankees' why-not guy.  He hasn't yet regressed into a "why?" guy...

Also, there's a fairly high degree of likelihood the Yankees will also DFA Headrick and try to pass him through waivers as rosters tighten up. It's a common practice to claim, then DFA again. Worthy of a 40 man roster spot for a day, haha.

[ashbury]

1 minute ago, bean5302 said:

Also, there's a fairly high degree of likelihood the Yankees will also DFA Headrick and try to pass him through waivers as rosters tighten up. It's a common practice to claim, then DFA again. Worthy of a 40 man roster spot for a day, haha.

That's the moment he descends into "Why guy" territory.

I really liked your "why not" category.