Has Ty France Established Himself As Padres' Long-Term First Baseman?

[Randy Holt]

When the San Diego Padres signed Ty France to a minor-league pact in the middle of February, it had the chance to be a good story. While his place on the roster wasn't guaranteed up against multiple players of a similar profile, the former San Diego State Aztec & 2015 Padres draftee had the opportunity for a homecoming after consecutive seasons of plying his trade for multiple teams. 

That fresh status as a journeyman that France attained across stints with Seattle, Cincinnati, Minnesota, and Toronto were a mixed bag. He'd struggled on both sides of the ball in his final season with the Mariners and post-trade-deadline with the Reds in 2024 before regaining his defensive form (and some of his bat) with the Twins the following year. He spent time on the shelf with the Blue Jays after another deadline deal landed him in a new spot, but reappeared for Toronto in last year's World Series. 

That February signing back in San Diego came at a time when the team had added (or would add) Miguel Andujar and Nick Castellanos to a roster that already featured Gavin Sheets as a first-base-corner-outfield profile. France, nevertheless, was able to grab a roster spot courtesy of a strong spring and some positional injuries that unfolded during the exhibition season. Not only did he do that, but he's since become a key player in the team's playoff push. 

Nearly through the end of August, France has contributed a .285/.355/.501 line with a 138 wRC+. In a general sense, it's his best offensive season since 2022, with his .218 isolated power number representing a new career high. Not only has he regained form, he's done so in a way that would put him as the team's top hitter if measured by wRC+. Only Fernando Tatis Jr.'s 124 comes remotely close to matching France's full-season offensive output. 

Perhaps more importantly, the 32-year-old has been a stabilizing force on the infield. With the Padres featuring one of the league's most improved defensive units, France's name figures to be in the mix for some accolades at the position come season's end. He's third in Outs Above Average among first basemen (with five) with a success rate of 79 percent against an estimated rate of 77 percent. If we flipped the metric to Defensive Runs Saved, France actually leads the position with 12. 

There isn't any doubt as to France's value to this particular Padres team. But on a minor-league deal that became a one-year MLB pact, there's now a question as to whether the Friars should make this a longer-term arrangement. 

He has undoubtedly played himself into more earning power his next time out. That much is objective. Not far behind it, though, in the rankings of things considered to be inarguable is the idea that France should be manning the position again in 2027 (or, you know, 2028). 

The Padres do not have a prospect of which we can speak that is banging on the door of the big-league first base job. Romeo Sanabria represents perhaps the closest name to such a concept, but he has struggled mightily in 80ish plate appearances in El Paso (30 wRC+). Nor is there anyone on the present roster that you'd feel comfortable holding down the gig with any regularity; Jake Cronenworth's profile doesn't fit the position, and Gavin Sheets isn't someone you want to run out against left-handed pitchers. The list of first base free agents this winter is also an uninspiring group as a whole. 

Given all of that, it'd be really difficult to make a case against retaining Ty France beyond 2026. One images the cost itself wouldn't be prohibitive (especially if new ownership is able to offer an injection of at least some additional financing), nor would the length of a new contract. It really all reads as easy a call as A.J. Preller and co. will have to make this winter.

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