Following the departures of Luis Arraez and Ryan O’Hearn in free agency, the San Diego Padres have an opening at the first base position. Gavin Sheets is the projected starter, but there is room for improvement. The team should consider signing free agent Ty France. The Padres need a player of his ilk, an elite fielding first baseman who offers a strong presence in the clubhouse.
Defensively, there is no one better than France
It seems certain that France will sign with a major league ball club before the start of spring training games. Multiple reports indicate the Padres are one of three teams, along with the Cleveland Guardians and Colorado Rockies, competing for his services.
The winning bidder is going to land one of the premier defensive first basemen, who won the 2025 American League Gold Glove while splitting time between the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays. His defensive metrics were off the charts. France led all first basemen with a +10 Outs Above Average (OAA) and recorded a .996 fielding percentage.
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Signing France is a type of move that fills a void at first base, but also upgrades the overall infield defense.
France aiming for a more productive 2026 run-producing campaign
The Padres aim to avoid a platoon at first base; they view France as a full-time starter if signed. His hitting value lies in his disciplined approach against left-handers, where a low 16.3% strikeout rate boosts his offensive productivity.
Sheets will get an opportunity to make some starts at first against tough right-handed pitching. In this potential situation, his primary role would be the left-handed hitting option in a platoon with right-handed hitter Miguel Andujar at the designated hitter position.
One reason why it has taken France so long to find a new home is his declining power numbers from last season. He hit a career low of seven home runs in 444 at-bats. Keep in mind, he played in 37 games with the Blue Jays, mostly as a defensive replacement for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. after being acquired at last summer’s trade deadline.
The Padres’ lineup is not perfect, but adding France gains more balance. He did hit a respectable .257/.320/.360 in 2025, but there is no evidence that he is approaching the downside of his major league career. The 31-year-old free agent is hoping a change of scenery will revive his career and allow him to become more productive at the plate.
What is the next step?
If he signs with the Friars, France would need to agree on a low-risk, cost-effective deal. The salary would be in the range of $ 3-5 million.
A return to the Padres would mark a second tour of duty for France, who was originally a 2015 draft pick out of San Diego State University. After working his way through the system, the infielder made his major league debut with the club in 2019.
Some believe the front office will not add another bat, but the outcome of Cactus League games could change that mindset.
A reunion makes sense for both sides, though an agreement is still pending.
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