After an offseason of questions about what they would do at first base, the Twins have made a move to address the position externally, agreeing to a one-year contract with veteran Ty France, a source confirmed. The deal is pending a physical.

France, 30, immediately becomes the most experienced player at the position on the roster and should be a big part of the first base/designated hitter mix. He has also played some second and first base during his major league career.

In 2021, his best season as a big leaguer, France hit .291 with an .813 OPS and 18 home runs in 152 games. The next season, he was an all-star, clubbing a career-high 20 home runs. France fractured his heel during a tough 2024, slashing .234/.305/.365 in a season split between Seattle and Cincinnati.

The Twins were left searching for a first baseman after Gold Glove winner Carlos Santana, whom they signed to a one-year deal last offseason, departed in free agency, signing with the division-rival Cleveland Guardians. Alex Kirilloff, who previously had been part of the first base mix in recent years, is no longer with the Twins either, retiring this offseason.

Before signing France, the Twins seemed to plan on using some combination of Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien at the position, the latter of whom has played less than 20 major league innings there.

France is the Twins’ third addition in the last week after they signed left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe and outfielder Harrison Bader. Prior to that, the Twins had not made a move all offseason to add a major leaguer.

The Twins cleared a spot on the 40-man roster for France earlier on Tuesday when left-hander Brent Hendrick was picked up off waivers by the New York Yankees. Ronny Henriquez, whom the Twins previously designated for assignment, was also claimed off waivers on Tuesday by the Miami Marlins.