Cleveland Guardians Sign Ty France

Veteran infielder joins Cleveland on a multi-year deal as they look to bolster their lineup.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 10:07pm

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The Cleveland Guardians have signed free agent infielder Ty France to a multi-year contract. France, who can play first base, second base, and third base, is coming off a productive 2025 season where he hit .257 with 7 home runs and 52 RBIs. The Guardians are hoping France's offensive skills and defensive versatility will help improve their lineup and provide more consistent production at first base.

Why it matters

The Guardians struggled offensively in 2025, relying too heavily on their pitching and defense to stay competitive. Signing France, a proven MLB hitter, should help balance their lineup and provide more run-scoring punch. France's ability to play multiple infield positions also gives the Guardians flexibility in their roster construction.

The details

France, 31, has a career .262 batting average with 81 home runs and 364 RBIs over his 7 MLB seasons. In 2025, he had 9 Defensive Runs Saved and 10 Outs Above Average at first base, showing he can also contribute defensively. The Guardians are hoping France's offensive skills and defensive versatility will help improve their lineup and provide more consistent production at first base, an area they struggled with in 2025.

  • France is set to join the Guardians ahead of the 2026 MLB season, which begins in April.

The players

Ty France

A 31-year-old infielder who can play first base, second base, and third base. He is coming off a productive 2025 season with the Seattle Mariners.

Kyle Manzardo

The Guardians' current starting first baseman, whose development has been a focus for the team.

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What they’re saying

“Ty France is the kind of versatile, proven hitter that can really boost our lineup. We're excited to add him to our team as we look to take the next step and compete for a championship.”

— Chris Antonetti, President of Baseball Operations, Cleveland Guardians (twsn.net)

What’s next

France is expected to report to Guardians spring training in the coming weeks to begin preparing for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Guardians' signing of Ty France represents a strategic move to improve their offense and provide more consistency at first base. France's blend of power, batting average, and defensive versatility should help the Guardians become a more balanced and dangerous team in 2026 and beyond.