As spring training looms, the Cleveland Guardians are still tinkering with their roster - and while the common narrative is that they need more offensive firepower, the front office might be eyeing a different kind of upgrade: defense.
The Guardians, winners of back-to-back AL Central titles, are reportedly in the mix for 2025 Gold Glove winner Ty France, a name that’s drawing interest from multiple clubs as teams finalize their camp rosters. France, who split last season between the Twins and Blue Jays, is known more for his glove than his bat - but that glove is elite. He took home the American League Gold Glove at first base last year, and his defensive consistency could be exactly what Cleveland’s young infield needs.
According to reports, Cleveland isn’t alone in pursuing the 31-year-old. The Padres, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Mets, and Yankees have all been linked to France in recent days.
San Diego recently added Miguel Andujar but is still reportedly in on France, suggesting they’re not done adding depth at the corners. The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, are also said to be eyeing Carlos Santana - a familiar name in Cleveland - as they explore veteran options at first base.
Santana, of course, won a Gold Glove himself with the Twins in 2024 before returning to the Guardians to start last season. But Cleveland moved on from the veteran slugger midseason, releasing him to open up more at-bats for Kyle Manzardo. Santana later landed with the Cubs.
As for France, his offensive numbers don’t jump off the page - he hit .257 with a .681 OPS and seven home runs across 490 plate appearances last season. But he did slug 20 homers for the Mariners back in 2022, so there’s still some pop in the bat. At this stage of his career, though, his real value lies in his glove and his veteran presence.
And that might be exactly what Cleveland’s roster needs right now. The Guardians could have as many as four rookies in their Opening Day lineup, including top prospects Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana, who are both expected to make their MLB debuts.
Add in C.J. Kayfus and George Valera - two late-season callups looking to carve out bigger roles - and you’ve got a clubhouse that could benefit from a steady hand.
France wouldn’t be a flashy addition, but he’d be a stabilizing one. For a team that’s betting on internal growth to carry them through another division race, adding a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman could quietly go a long way.