Ty France’s return to San Diego now sits near the center of the Padres’ offseason questions, and the infielder made it clear after the NLDS loss that he wants to stay.
“I love this place. I don’t know what the offseason’s going to look like or what’s in store … but I’ve said it since spring training: this is where I want to be.
My heart’s in San Diego. ... I understand it’s a business.
We haven’t had those conversations yet. So we’ll see what happens,” France said, via Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune.
That sentiment comes with free agency looming after a season in which France became one of San Diego’s most dependable bats. He signed a minor league deal last offseason, then turned that opportunity into a major role and, at times, the most important bat in the lineup.
France hit .295 with 21 home runs and 72 RBIs across 133 games for San Diego in the regular season.
The path to that production made the year even more notable. France arrived in spring training fighting for a roster spot, but he not only made the team - he stayed with it all year and became a steady presence for manager Craig Stammen.
For France, the year also had the feel of a homecoming. He had previously been with the Padres in 2019 and 2020 before being traded to the Seattle Mariners, and the former San Diego State Aztecs star found a way back into the organization this season.
He spent 2025 with the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays as well, including being part of the Blue Jays club that reached the World Series, though he did not produce there the way he did in San Diego.
Looking ahead, France’s fit remains obvious. He could handle first base again, and he also offers the ability to serve as a designated hitter and even move around the infield if needed. The bigger issue is financial: what the Padres are willing to pay him, and what he might be able to command on the open market.
There are plenty of other offseason issues for San Diego, especially involving Adrian Morejon and Michael King, but France has done enough to make one thing clear: he should be in line for at least a strong contract offer from the Padres.
In Other News...
Padres Deadline Gamble Became A Frustrating Miss When It Mattered Most
When San Diego went shopping at the deadline, it was looking for help that could stabilize the roster and deepen the pitching mix for the stretch run. The Padres came away with pitcher Casey Mize and infielder Gage Workman from Detroit, parting with prospects Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf in a move that was supposed to make sense in the moment and look even better later.
Instead, the deal has been hard to defend as the season has played out. Mize never found much traction after arriving in San Diego, and the expected boost on the mound never really materialized before an ankle injury sent him to the injured list. What was framed as a calculated gamble now reads more like a frustrating miss, especially with the Padres having paid real prospect capital for a return that fell well short of what they needed. [Read more 🡒]
Padres Suddenly Linked To An Outfield Move That Could Test Tatis
The Padres offseason search for offense may already have a familiar name attached to it. MLB insider Robert Murray of FanSided reported that San Diego could pursue a trade for Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan, a two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner who has long made sense as the kind of contact-heavy, high-floor player the Padres have tended to value when looking at ways to stabilize the lineup and the outfield.
Kwan would not just be another depth add, though. San Diego has shown past interest in him, and if the club seriously pushes in that direction, it could force some real thought about how the batting order is constructed around Fernando Tatis Jr. for next season, which is part of what makes this rumor worth watching as the winter market develops. [Read more 🡒]
Michael King Just Addressed The Padres Question Fans Keep Asking
Michael Kings postseason run naturally stirred up the kind of contract chatter that follows any pitcher who looks like hes raised his value on the biggest stage. For Padres fans, the question has lingered because King is not just another arm in the rotation, he has become one of the most important pieces of the staff and a pitcher the organization would prefer to keep in place.
King addressed the speculation directly and made clear he would like to stay in San Diego, describing the city as a second home. The contract mechanics still leave room for a decision down the road, with money and timing set to become a bigger part of the conversation as the deal moves forward, but for now the more interesting part is the tone King set after the season: he sounded like someone who wants this to keep going. [Read more 🡒]