Ty France, the former Mariner who just became a free agent, is open to exploring opportunities at receiver as he receives interest from other teams. Although he never played the position in an MLB or minor league game, France showed familiarity with the catcher position during his time with the Padres, where he took reps at the training site team's alternate in 2020. Although he has been considered an emergency catcher for both the Padres and Mariners, he has yet to have the opportunity to showcase his skills behind the plate.
At 30 years old and without any playing experience as a receiver, France is unlikely to be anything more than a third receiver or emergency option. Adjusting to the intricacies of receiving and play calling for regular work at the position would be a considerable challenge for him. However, expressing a willingness to explore opportunities as a receiver could potentially benefit France if a team offers him that chance.
The main concern regarding France is their lack of defensive value. Although he has some experience at second and third base, his lack of speed prevents him from being a regular starter at either position. In 2024, France primarily played first base but also received poor defensive grades at that position. Defensive Runs Saved rated him seven runs below average, while Statcast rated him nine runs below average.
Despite its defensive difficulties, France's offensive performance was solid for a few years. Between the 2020 deadline trade that sent him to Seattle and the end of the 2022 season, France posted an impressive .284/.354/.441 line. However, his production dropped in 2023 with a .250/.337/.366 line. That downward trend continued this year as well, when he started with a disappointing .223/.312/.350 before being designated for assignment by the Mariners. Even after joining Cincinnati and playing at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, France only managed a .251/.292/.391 line in 52 games for the Reds.
Both FanGraphs and Baseball Reference rated France's performance in 2024 below replacement level. Therefore, it was no surprise that the Reds decided not to offer him an arbitration contract that likely would have exceeded $8 million. Although minor league offers seemed possible for France, Feinsand's report indicates there is at least one team willing to offer him an Opening Day job. However, such an opportunity would likely come with a low base salary and could include incentives based on his games or at-bat appearances.
In conclusion, Ty France's openness to exploring receiver opportunities in the midst of his free agency allows him to take on a new challenge in his career. Despite a lack of experience behind the plate, France's drive and dedication could potentially lead to success at the position. However, he will have to overcome significant obstacles to establish himself as a reliable receiver. With defensive concerns and recent offensive struggles, France will need to prove their worth to potential suitors as they seek a fresh start for the upcoming season.
