The Mets’ search for a first baseman has started to take shape, and Ty France is now in the mix.
New York has already been tied to former Phillies infielder Alec Bohm, but MLB reporter Michael Marino says the team has also shown interest in France as it looks to shore up the position. Marino wrote, "Sources: The Mets have shown interest in free-agent first baseman Ty France as they look to bolster the position," and added, "France joins Alec Bohm as one of the 1Bs drawing the team's attention."
France enters free agency off the best season of his career, and that’s exactly why he’s drawing attention. In 440 at-bats for the Padres, he put up 4.5 bWAR with 21 home runs, a .295 batting average, 130 hits, 72 RBI, an .865 OPS and a 139 OPS+.
That kind of production made him a major value for San Diego, and now it puts him in position to land a strong contract this winter. For the Mets, the appeal is obvious: he gives them another proven option at first base, and likely a cheaper one than a trade pursuit would require.
The report also notes that New York could still go the trade route for a first baseman such as Christian Walker of the Houston Astros, but France fits the free-agent lane. He’s coming off a season in which he set career highs in bWAR, home runs and OPS, and his 139 OPS+ was the best mark of his career.
There’s still some risk baked into the idea. France, who is 32 and bats left-handed, managed only 0.4 bWAR over the previous two seasons combined across 278 games. But the Mets appear willing to weigh that against the upside, especially if they can land him on a reasonable multi-year deal.
For now, France and Bohm stand as the names at the front of New York’s first-base search, with Marino’s report making clear the Mets are keeping both firmly on the radar.
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