Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today the signing of first baseman Ty France to a one-year contract.
France, 30, split his 2024 season between Seattle and Cincinnati, posting a .234 average (112-for-479) with 24 doubles, 13 home runs, 51 RBI, 38 walks, and 46 runs scored, culminating in a .670 OPS over 140 games. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound first baseman hit .235/.299/.370 against right-handed pitchers and .231/.321/.350 against left-handers. Impressively, he managed a .320/.393/.420 slash line with runners in scoring position and two outs. Notably, France ranks seventh in games played at first base (524) since 2021 and third in ultimate zone rating (5.3), according to Fangraphs.
Originally from Downey, California, France was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 34th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft from San Diego State University. A 2022 American League All-Star, France has played parts of six major league seasons with San Diego (2019-20), Seattle (2020-2024), and Cincinnati (2024), achieving a career average of .263 (662-for-2513) with 132 doubles, four triples, 74 home runs, 312 RBI, 182 walks, and a .744 OPS in 702 games.
France will occupy the 40-man roster spot left by left-handed pitcher Brent Headrick, who was designated for release or assignment on Tuesday and subsequently claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees. Headrick made a single appearance in 2024, spending most of the season recovering from a left forearm strain.
The Twins’ 40-man roster is now complete, consisting of 21 pitchers, four catchers, six infielders, six outfielders, and three utility players.
In addition, the Twins have signed right-handed pitcher Erasmo Ramírez to a minor league contract, including an invitation to major league spring training. Ramírez, 34, recorded a 3-0 record with a 4.35 ERA (20.2 IP, 10 ER), one save, 10 walks, 15 strikeouts, and a 1.06 WHIP in 13 relief appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays. He also posted a 3-4 record with a 3.23 ERA (53.0 IP, 19 ER), three holds, four saves, 15 walks, 64 strikeouts, and a 1.23 WHIP in 37 outings for Triple-A Durham in 2024. The Rivas, Nicaragua native has appeared in 327 games (96 starts) over 13 major league seasons with Seattle (2012-14, ’17, ’18), Tampa Bay (2015-17, ’23-24), Boston (2019), New York-NL (2020), Detroit (2021), and Washington (2022-23), compiling a 43-45 record with a 4.37 ERA (849.0 IP, 412 ER), 228 walks, 645 strikeouts, and a 1.24 WHIP.
