It Sounds Like the Twins Have Big Plans for Ty France

[John Bonnes]

FORT MYERS - Ty France is looking for a simple fix and a simple fit. He thinks he found it with the Twins.

Image courtesy of © Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

For the first time in his career, Ty France navigated the free agency process. The resulting contract – a non-guaranteed deal worth $1M – reflects the ups and downs that free agency holds for the majority of MLB players. But long before he signed on the dotted line, the 30-year-old first baseman felt early on that the Minnesota Twins were the right fit.

“They run a lot of different lineups out and play a lot of matchups,” France explained. “They had Carlos [Santana] here last year, who did a great job, and lost him in free agency. Saw an opening there.”

Finding the right fit was important because France is trying to rebound from back-to-back difficult seasons. The easy explanation for his 2024 numbers—a triple slash of .234/.305/.365—is a hairline fracture in his heel that he suffered early in June last year. Before the injury, his OPS was 734. Following that, he posted a 621.

“I don’t want to put all the blame on that,” said France. “There was a lot that went into it.”

Instead, France focuses on a more self-inflicted problem. After struggling in 2023, he tried a swing overhaul heading into 2024. It didn’t work, and he admitted he let panic dictate his adjustments.

“So my first four years in the big leagues had really, really good, strong seasons. Then in ’23, numbers dipped a little bit, and I shouldn't have, but I panicked a little because I wasn't used to that, you know, kind of production,” reflected France. “So I was like, ‘Okay, how can I get back to being my old self’ … and kind of got lost.”

France dove into mechanics and analytics but soon realized that wasn’t his style.

“There was a lot of it - the analytical side - where I tried to tap into, that I shouldn't tap into,” he said. “I should just worry about being a baseball player and hitting the ball.”

Determined to rediscover his natural approach, France worked this offseason with former Twins infielder Denny Hocking. He also reflected on lessons from his youth when he worked with “Coach Gwynn.” That is Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.

“He was very big on simplifying things,” France said. “When I’m at my best, I’m not focused on analytics. I’m just simplifying hitting.”

This can lead to another lesson that Gwynn taught him that France had to relearn: baseball should be fun.

“One of the things that I think kind of got lost the last year or two was he always preached, ‘This is a game, you’ve got to have fun,’” France said. “And the last year or two hasn’t been fun baseball for me. I think my time in Cincinnati last year, having that reset, I found that joy again.”

Towards that end, France insists he will not put extra pressure on himself, even though he’s playing on a non-guaranteed contract. “I’m not going to go out here and try and be something I’m not,” he said. “I’m going to go out and play my game. And if it aligns, great. If it doesn’t, it is what it is.”

The way Twins manager Rocco Baldelli talks about him, France need not worry about being left off the roster. Baldelli talks about him as if he’s already the everyday first baseman. “He’s going to play a lot,” Baldelli said Saturday afternoon. “That’s really the best way of saying it. The kind of hitter that he is, yeah, this isn’t a platoon situation. I think he’s going to play.”

For that reason, regardless of the amount or the terms of the contract they offered him, the Twins seem to be a great fit. Now he needs to show he’s a great fit for them as they try to recover from last season’s collapse. He knows just how he’s going to do it.

“When I simplify hitting and get back to being myself, I’m a pretty good hitter,” he said. “I’m just going to go out this year and play baseball instead of worrying about all the mechanical stuff.”

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[Post-Concussive Blues]

If he works out, will the Twins have additional control through arbitration in subsequent seasons?

[dberthia]

And I have "big plans" to win the lottery. France is going to be this year's Kyle Farmer. Good clubhouse guy who's replacement level at best on the field. We seemingly bring in a couple of these guys every year and say a prayer that they can regain their lost form. I usually say "hope" is not a strategy, but here we are again.

[stringer bell]

19 minutes ago, Post-Concussive Blues said:

If he works out, will the Twins have additional control through arbitration in subsequent seasons?

It looks like he has five-plus seasons of service time, so after 2025 he would be a free agent.

[ashbury]

Quote

Before the injury, his OPS was 734. Following that, he posted a 621. “I don’t want to put all the blame on that,” said France.

.734 isn't all that great in the first place, for a 1Bman with minimal defensive prowess.

Do the Twins' talent evaluators go any deeper than, "oh yeah, I've heard of him," like a fan?  I sometimes wonder, when they bring us players like Manuel Margot.

[sweetmusicviola16]

"This isn't a platoon situation." Too bad Miranda. You just became an end of the bench player. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Welcome back Joey Gallo

[Brandon]

18 minutes ago, ashbury said:

.734 isn't all that great in the first place, for a 1Bman with minimal defensive prowess.

Do the Twins' talent evaluators go any deeper than, "oh yeah, I've heard of him," like a fan?  I sometimes wonder, when they bring us players like Manuel Margot.

He gets on base well if he can hit around.270.  He has elite HBP skillz.  He has moderate power.  Normal doubles and half the HRs you want from a good 1B.  If he hits like that with average defense he would be a value for 1 million.  

[USAFChief]

7 hours ago, John Bonnes said:

Rocco:

"The kind of hitter that he is, yeah, this isn’t a platoon situation"

Yeah, preach it Rocco.

Now a guy like Wallner...the guy with the .866  career OPS. .894 last year. Now THAT’S the kind of hitter you wanna get out of the lineup as often as you can, eh Roc?

Sigh.

 

 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

29 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Welcome back Joey Gallo

Nooooooooo!

[ashbury]

19 minutes ago, Brandon said:

He has elite HBP skillz. 

I look forward to trying to lip-read his conversations in the dugout with Matt Wallner.  "Well, sure, it's easy to get plunked from YOUR side of the plate."  😀

[Richie the Rally Goat]

24 minutes ago, Brandon said:

He gets on base well if he can hit around.270.  He has elite HBP skillz.  He has moderate power.  Normal doubles and half the HRs you want from a good 1B.  If he hits like that with average defense he would be a value for 1 million.  

Blue is bad

[Major League Ready]

12 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Yeah, preach it Rocco.

Now a guy like Wallner...the guy with the .866  career OPS. .894 last year. Now THAT’S the kind of hitter you wanna get out of the lineup as often as you can, eh Roc?

Sigh.

//cue the Rocco bobos to leap to the defense...

 

 

I am all for giving a guy the chance to hit opposite side pitching.  However to point out Wallner's career .866 OPS without pointing out also pointing out his career splits of .510 vs 951 would suggest you don't want us to look at the whole picture.  I am OK with investing in Wallner by giving him greater opportunity but let's not pretend playing him against LHP has not been counter-productive to this point.  

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

He gets on base well if he can hit around.270.  He has elite HBP skillz.  He has moderate power.  Normal doubles and half the HRs you want from a good 1B.  If he hits like that with average defense he would be a value for 1 million.  

He can be a good value for $1M and still be a below average player who helps you lose ballgames if you give him 500 plate appearances.

[Brandon]

40 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

He can be a good value for $1M and still be a below average player who helps you lose ballgames if you give him 500 plate appearances.

If he is bad meaning .700 OPS or lower he will be replaced. Larnarch or Wallner will move to 1B when ERod is up.  
 

if he is hitting.270/.360/.380 he could stick around.  He has 25-30 doubles and 12-20 HR power.  It’s his average that’s dropped over time.  

[DocBauer]

He's an every day player? Great. Let him be the more frequent DH and a part time 1B. Miranda is a better bat, and is younger, and part of the future. France is not.

[RpR]

He definitely is not this years version of Santana.

[dxpavelka]

2 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

"This isn't a platoon situation." Too bad Miranda. You just became an end of the bench player. 

became?

 

[ashbury]

Quote

Baldelli talks about him as if he’s already the everyday first baseman. “He’s going to play a lot,” Baldelli said Saturday afternoon. “That’s really the best way of saying it. The kind of hitter that he is, yeah, this isn’t a platoon situation. I think he’s going to play.”

I'd be curious to know more of the context of those comments. Maybe Rocco was referring to the coming weeks before Opening Day?

France's antipathy toward analytics is interesting. Hopefully the new batting coach and assistants are better at communicating than last year's seemed to be.

 

[Doctor Gast]

I'll say again MN & SEA started out '24 the same focus of "all or nothing" hitting approach, That approach goofed up a lot of hitters. MN changed direction, SEA did not. I hope that France can regain his old self & help out at DH & 1B. It made me sick when the Twins brought in outhouse players to automatically take over the positions from our own capable players last season Miranda & Kiriloff could have really mashed at 1B. They are doing the same thing again this season, they aren't giving Miranda a chance, I hate it. Some players seem to get opportunity after opportunity when they don't deserve any. Yet players who deserve it get the short end of the stick every time. I hope common sense finally wins out.

[big dog]

I just hope he’s in the best shape of his life. 

[HerbieFan]

Miranda's only possible future defensive position is 1B.  If Rocco thinks this guy is going to play a lot of first base, they may as well send Miranda to St.Paul and let him play first every dang day.

[Blyleven2011]

If he's an everyday player in spring training that's fine , he's trying to earn the position on a non guaranteed contract  ...

If he succeeds on the 26 man roster , he's a platoon hitting lefties and not an everyday player , Miranda hits better and hits righties probably better than France  ...

France can pinch hit , sit on the bench and DH ...

 

[karcherd]

At what point do you give Miranda a chance and trust in your player development.  Bring in someone who truly improves the team like Alonso or give Miranda his chance.  He is not 22 years old and has proven himself with the bat.  Let him play and develop his defense and see what he becomes.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

2 hours ago, Brandon said:

If he is bad meaning .700 OPS or lower he will be replaced. Larnarch or Wallner will move to 1B when ERod is up.  
 

if he is hitting.270/.360/.380 he could stick around.  He has 25-30 doubles and 12-20 HR power.  It’s his average that’s dropped over time.  

Manuel Margot and Joey Gallo say hi

[DocBauer]

1 hour ago, HerbieFan said:

Miranda's only possible future defensive position is 1B.  If Rocco thinks this guy is going to play a lot of first base, they may as well send Miranda to St.Paul and let him play first every dang day.

He can also be one of/the primary DH and hard work has turned him in to a passable/average 3B. But I agree his best spot, with work and experience, is 1B. And unless France proves to be measurably better there, it should be Miranda.

[D.C Twins]

oh goody! He is clearly what any team competing for a WS would want to have big plans for.... sigh...

[DocBauer]

2 hours ago, Brandon said:

If he is bad meaning .700 OPS or lower he will be replaced. Larnarch or Wallner will move to 1B when ERod is up.  
 

if he is hitting.270/.360/.380 he could stick around.  He has 25-30 doubles and 12-20 HR power.  It’s his average that’s dropped over time.  

This not directed at good sir, just a general comment. I find it interesting how often I hear comments about Larnach or Wallner moving to 1B even though they are career OF and I don't know if either has ever played at 1B in MILB. 

When Rodriguez is up, I agree he'll play almost daily somewhere. I think it's more likely Larnach/Wallner see some time at DH and the OF. Not saying one of them might not be able to transition to 1B. Maybe they can. But they aren't used to grounders/choppers/playing in the dirt so IDK if either has the ability/instincts to do so.

[arby58]

5 hours ago, ashbury said:

.734 isn't all that great in the first place, for a 1Bman with minimal defensive prowess.

Do the Twins' talent evaluators go any deeper than, "oh yeah, I've heard of him," like a fan?  I sometimes wonder, when they bring us players like Manuel Margot.

What did you think last year when they signed Carlos Santana? How about when they signed Brock Stewart? Willi Castro? Each of them had 'cast-off' references.

It's pretty insulting to suggest that paid professional baseball talent evaluators are as you describe them.

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, big dog said:

I just hope he’s in the best shape of his life. 

(Checks calendar.  It's mid-February.)  He is!