The Mariners placed first baseman Ty France on outright waivers Sunday, sources told ESPN, cutting ties with the 30-year-old amid a team-wide offensive slump that has seen Seattle blow double-digit leads in games in the American League West.
France, who was named to the All-Star team two years ago, struggled in recent weeks after returning from the disabled list following a hairline fracture in his right heel. In the 26 games since his return, he has hit .159/.275/.227 with one homer and four RBIs in 102 plate appearances.
Rookie Tyler Locklear is expected to take over first base duties for the Mariners. Teams can keep France and assume the remainder of his $6.78 million salary.
Unlike Toronto outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, who was placed on revocable waivers and remains with the Blue Jays after going unclaimed, Seattle placed France on irrevocable waivers. Players who are traded by contract are typically eligible for assignment to the minor leagues, but because France has more than five years of major league service under his belt, he can decline the assignment, and if he signs as a free agent, his new team will owe him a prorated share of the major league minimum salary while the Mariners will pick up the difference.
In his first two seasons with Seattle, France was a reliable presence in the middle of the order for an ascending Mariners team, posting a 28% adjusted OPS that was 25% better than his peers. He regressed to a league-average hitter last year, and his recent struggles were reflected in his teammates.
On June 18, the Mariners were 44-31 and held a 10-game lead in the AL West. A win against Houston on Sunday halted further erosion and put them back in a virtual tie for first place.
Seattle has allowed the second-fewest runs in the majors, behind only Atlanta, but its offense has been the reverse, scoring more runs than only the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins, two teams destined for 100-plus loss seasons.
France wasn't the only player struggling. Aside from Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh, the Mariners' best offensive player over the past month was part-time outfielder Victor Robles, signed as a free agent earlier this season.
Among those who have had the most difficulty are Seattle's offseason acquisitions aimed at bolstering the team's offense: designated hitter Mitch Garver, outfielder Mitch Haniger and second baseman Jorge Polanco.
France, originally selected in the 34th round of the draft out of San Diego State, is an unconventional first baseman, as he is a right-handed hitter who stands just under 6 feet tall. However, he typically hits for a high enough average and strikes out infrequently enough to justify everyday at-bats. In 339 plate appearances this season, he is hitting .224/.313/.351 with eight homers and 31 RBIs.
The Seattle Times was the first to report on the move.
