For the second time this month, the Cincinnati Reds traded for a veteran player who had fallen on the depth chart of his old team but still should give the Reds an upgrade over what they had.
On Monday, the Reds acquired 2022 All-Star first baseman Ty France in a deal with the Seattle Mariners. The Reds acquired France and cash considerations for minor leaguer catcher Andruw Salcedo, who has been a third-string catcher in Low-A for most of the season.
The Mariners designated France for assignment last week. Like recent addition Austin Slater, France gives an injury-riddled and inexperienced lineup another veteran.
France was hitting .223 with a .662 on-base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS) this season, which was close to league average.
France, a 30-year-old right-handed hitter, fills a role that Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Nick Martini were in earlier this season. Encarnacion-Strand is out for the year with a wrist injury, and Martini could be out until September after having thumb surgery.
France was still a solid hitter against left-handed pitching this year and could make an impact as a platoon player.
The Reds didn’t trade a valuable prospect to acquire France and virtually added a potential contributor for free. The move is not a signal about the direction the Reds are leaning heading into Tuesday’s trade deadline.
