The Padres swung big for Luis Arraez - and missed. But what they lost wasn’t just a player with elite contact skills.
They lost a sense of stability, a plug-and-play answer at first base who could’ve brought some much-needed consistency to the infield. Instead, the Giants swooped in with a one-year, $12 million deal, leaving San Diego scrambling for a Plan B.
Now, that search has led them to a familiar name: Ty France.
According to reports, the Padres are among several teams showing interest in the 29-year-old first baseman, joining the Diamondbacks, Mets, and Yankees in what’s shaping up to be a competitive market. France isn’t the flashiest name, but he brings something the Padres could really use - a contact-first approach and a glove that’s trending in the right direction.
Let’s talk fit. The Padres’ offense has had too many nights where the bats go quiet, where the ball simply doesn’t move.
France doesn’t solve everything, but he helps. He’s a right-handed hitter who doesn’t get neutralized by platoon matchups and puts the ball in play - something that’s become a bit of a lost art in today’s game.
Still, San Diego has to be realistic about what they’d be getting. France’s offensive numbers last season - a .257 average, .320 OBP, .360 slugging with seven home runs over 490 plate appearances - don’t scream “lineup anchor.”
They whisper “dependable.” He’s not a big walk guy, but he knows how to get on base in other ways, including crowding the plate and taking his fair share of hit-by-pitches.
The power? It’s modest.
The hard contact numbers? Not exactly intimidating.
But here’s where things get interesting: the glove. France took a real step forward defensively last season, enough to earn a Gold Glove at first base.
That wasn’t just a reputation award - the metrics backed it up, including 10 Outs Above Average. For a Padres team that often leans on its run prevention to keep games close, that kind of defense at first base isn’t just a bonus.
It’s a need.
And then there’s the full-circle angle. France was once a Padre, part of the 2020 seven-player trade that sent him to Seattle.
A return now would be more than just a roster move - it would be a bit of an admission that the Padres’ offseason has shifted from bold to reactive. They had a plan, and that plan didn’t pan out.
Now they’re looking for stability, even if it comes in the form of a player they once let go.
Is Ty France the kind of move that sets the fanbase buzzing? Probably not.
But after striking out on Arraez, a steady hand at first base - someone who can field his position and put the ball in play - might be exactly what San Diego needs to keep things from unraveling early. It’s not flashy.
It’s not headline-grabbing. But it might just be necessary.