The Guardians have already shown they can win with a lean payroll and a lineup that doesn’t always light up the scoreboard. But as the offseason opens, Cleveland is being tied to a name that would give the offense a different kind of punch: former All-Star Ty France.
MLB Trade Rumors identified the Guardians as a possible fit for France, who spent last season with the San Diego Padres and got his career moving in the right direction again. The projected price tag is where things get tricky. The contract estimate comes in at two years, $32 million, a number that could force Cleveland to decide how aggressive it wants to be.
That kind of spending would be a departure for an organization that has operated with one of the lowest payrolls in the sport. Still, the fit is easy to see if the front office decides to stretch a little. Cleveland could use more offense after seeing the bats go cold at different points during the year, even though the club still managed to put runs together despite striking out a ton a year ago.
France’s 2024 season with San Diego was strong across the board. He hit .295 with 21 home runs, drove in 72 runs, drew 37 walks, and posted an .865 OPS. His power ticked up, and he looked comfortable in a lineup that gave him room to produce.
He also brought a well-rounded approach to the plate. France handled both left-handers and right-handers well, and he has long been especially effective against lefties, which only adds to his appeal.
France has said that he would love to remain with the Padres, but that decision is still unresolved as the offseason moves along. If Cleveland were able to pull him away, it would give the Guardians a much-needed boost in the middle of the order and add some extra pop for next season.
For now, it comes back to the same question that always hangs over Cleveland’s winter plans: how much is the club willing to spend? If the answer changes, France could become one of the more interesting options on the board.
In Other News...
Guardians Trade Buzz Puts Clevelands Outfield Plans Under Pressure
The offseason has already put Cleveland in a familiar spot, with the front office expected to stay active as the market takes shape and the possibility of a lockout after December 1 hovering over everything. Coming off a strong season, the Guardians have reason to keep reworking the roster, and the outfield is one of the areas drawing the most attention as trade discussions begin to heat up.
Steven Kwan has emerged as the more prominent name in the chatter, giving Cleveland a high-value piece that could bring back real help if the club decides to move him. Blake Perkins is also in the mix as a defense-first option, and the fact that both names are being floated suggests the Guardians may be weighing more than one path as they try to balance short-term competitiveness with whatever comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Just Lost A Key Piece Of Their Pitching Pipeline
After 10 seasons in Cleveland, Joe Torres is moving on to join the Cincinnati Reds as their major league pitching coach, taking over the role vacated by Derek Johnson. Torres had become a familiar and important part of the Guardians pitching operation, working closely with the staff and helping guide a number of young arms through their development.
For the Guardians, the timing matters as much as the departure itself. They now have to find someone to step into that lane alongside pitching coach Carl Willis for the 2027 season, and replacing a longtime voice in the room is never a simple matter when a club has leaned on that continuity to shape its pipeline. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Lose Another Pitching Voice As Francona Reunites With Familiar Staffer
Another familiar pitching voice is leaving Clevelands staff, with Joe Torres set to take over as the Reds head pitching coach under Terry Francona. Torres has been with the Guardians organization since 2017, working his way through a series of minor league coaching roles before moving into his major league assistant pitching coach job in 2022.
For the Guardians, the move adds another layer of turnover to a pitching group that has leaned on continuity in recent seasons. There is no replacement announced yet, leaving one more opening for the club to sort out as it looks to keep its staff intact heading into the next phase of the offseason. [Read more 🡒]