The Reds have been eyeing a way to make their infield fit together a little cleaner, and Ty France would slot right into that idea. Cincinnati could look at a free-agent first baseman and slide Sal Stewart over to third base, and France - who already spent time with the Reds in 2024 - looks like the kind of piece that makes sense on paper.
The problem for Cincinnati is that France appears locked in on San Diego.
After his first and only All-Star season came with the Seattle Mariners in 2022, France went through a stretch of uneven production, including a .251/.292/.391 line in his 52 games with the Reds. But he steadied things defensively, won a Gold Glove at first base last season and then got his bat going again this year, finishing with an .865 OPS.
In a thin free-agent class, that makes him a strong target. It also makes him someone the Padres would love to keep.
And France has made it clear where he wants to be. He has firmly stated his commitment to re-signing with the Padres, who would likely have interest in bringing him back too. He was arguably San Diego’s most reliable offensive threat, and both sides are still looking at that NLDS loss to Milwaukee - along with his go-ahead homer that wasn’t - and thinking about what could have been.
The catch is that San Diego may have bigger problems to solve first. FanGraphs lists 19 Padres players as free agents, and the club’s need for starting pitching could end up taking priority over a France reunion.
If he does reach the market, though, the bidding could get real fast. That’s a different situation from last winter, when France signed with the Padres on a minor-league deal that ultimately paid out $1.35 million. This time, he’d arrive as one of the more attractive names available, and that kind of attention could easily push him beyond Cincinnati’s reach.
For the Reds, that would sting. A Gold Glove first baseman who can also handle some second base is exactly the sort of versatile upgrade they could use to get more out of their lineup. They might have been able to get him cheaply a year or two ago, but now that Cincinnati could use him most, France looks headed somewhere else.
In Other News...
Reds Offseason Could Shape Sal Stewart In One Important Way
The Reds head into the offseason with a long shopping list, and the biggest decisions are not limited to the rotation and bullpen. Cincinnati also has to sort out third base, find a right-handed-hitting outfielder and address catching depth, all while trying to keep the lineup moving in a way that fits the next wave of young talent. Sal Stewarts historic rookie season in 2026 only sharpened the focus on how the club can best support him as he moves into the next stage of his career.
One name that naturally fits into that conversation is Paul Goldschmidt, who could bring both stability and a veteran presence to a clubhouse trying to bridge present needs with future upside. For the Reds, the appeal goes beyond just plugging a lineup hole, since a player like Goldschmidt could help guide Stewart while also giving the team a useful piece in the mix against certain matchups. What Cincinnati decides this winter will say plenty about how aggressively it wants to shape Stewarts path, and whether it can turn a roster need into a broader developmental advantage. [Read more 🡒]
Reds May Have To Gamble To Fix Their Second Base Problem
The Reds are heading into an offseason where second base looks like one of the clearer spots to upgrade, and that search may force them to balance need against risk. MLB.coms Mark Feinsand pointed to Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm as a possible fit for Cincinnati, a name that makes sense on paper because the Reds have not gotten enough offense from the position and need more impact somewhere in the middle of the lineup.
Chisholms recent track record is exactly why this kind of fit is not simple. He delivered a strong 2025 season, then followed it with a downturn in 2026, which means any pursuit would have to account for both the upside and the uncertainty. For the Reds, the question is whether they are willing to make a meaningful commitment to solve a problem that has lingered, or whether they prefer to wait for a cleaner answer elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Could Target A Cheap Outfield Option Fans Overlooked
As the Reds sort through their offseason roster plans, they are looking at the usual mix of headline-grabbing free agents and quieter, cheaper options who could still fit a need. One name that pops up in that second lane is Drew Waters, the former Royals prospect who recently elected free agency and could appeal as a low-risk addition for a club that values versatility and athleticism in the outfield.
Waters did not get a big league look last season, but his profile still makes him interesting for Cincinnati. His switch-hitting bat, baserunning ability and defensive value give him a chance to compete for a reserve role, especially if the Reds want insurance across the outfield without committing significant money or a guaranteed everyday spot. [Read more 🡒]