BOSTON -- The Mariners officially bid farewell to Ty France on Monday, dealing the longtime and well-liked first baseman to the Reds ahead of Tuesday’s Trade Deadline and six days after the club designated him for assignment.
Per the collective bargaining agreement, Seattle had just seven days to trade France, otherwise he would’ve been placed on release waivers, opening the possibility of any team claiming him. Had France cleared those waivers, he could’ve been outrighted to the Minors, but would’ve declined based on his four-plus years of service time accrued.
It all created the possibility of France potentially joining a club contending against the Mariners in the American League playoff race.
This transaction ensures that won’t happen and also brings back a return of a low-level prospect. The Mariners also sent a little over half of what's still owed on France's $6.775 million salary for 2024, according to a source, which is roughly $2.2 million. Cincinnati will absorb $1 million of the remainder that he's owed, putting the Mariners on the hook for the rest.
TRADE DETAILS
Mariners receive: Minor League C Andruw Salcedo
Reds receive: 1B Ty France, cash considerations
France is hitting .222 with a .662 OPS, both career worsts with eight homers, 14 doubles, 31 RBIs, 83 strikeouts and 28 walks. He’s been worth 96 wRC+ (league average is 100) and minus-0.5 wins above replacement, per FanGraphs. His lack of production at a run-producing position led Seattle to part ways despite France’s presence as one of the few longer-tenured veterans in Seattle in what’s an otherwise young clubhouse.
Yet his new opportunity could be ripe for a turnaround, as he transitions from one of the least-hitter friendly environments in T-Mobile Park to one of the most hitter-friendly in Great American Ball Park. The Reds are also on the outskirts of postseason contention, which could ease pressure off France, compared to the Mariners, who are facing as much pressure as any AL club to reach October.
As for the return, Salcedo, is in his fourth Minor League season in the Reds organization, after signing as an international free agent in 2019. The Sincelejo, Colombia, native has appeared in just seven games this year with Single-A Daytona, posting a .350 on-base percentage in 20 plate appearances. For his career, he’s a .246 hitter with 33 runs, nine doubles, one triple, four homers, 25 RBIs and 37 walks, good for a .347 on-base percentage and .677 OPS across 98 games.