SEATTLE — The Mariners have shipped out a former fan favorite in a trade, as Ty France was sent to the Cincinnati Reds along with cash in exchange for a minor-league catcher.
France was designated for assignment last week by the Mariners as he fell out of the everyday lineup. Seattle gets Andruw Salcedo back in the trade, who has 20 plate appearances in 2024 with the Dayton Tortugas in Class-A.
Acquired by the Mariners in 2020, France played 561 games as a Mariner and was an American League All-Star in 2022. Over his time in Seattle, France had a .266 batting average and hit 60 home runs.
France's numbers were down considerably in 2024 from his past few seasons, and he saw fewer and fewer opportunities in the lineup. France also was making $6.7 million in 2024, so his departure potentially gives the Mariners some more flexibility with the payroll as the trade deadline approaches.
Seattle already has brought in Tampa Bay Rays slugger Randy Arozarena and relief pitcher Yimi Garcia as the Mariners try and keep themselves in the postseason picture.
The team will next play in Boston on Monday against the Red Sox.
