The Padres aren’t done shopping.
After a season that fell short of expectations, San Diego is still looking to fine-tune both the rotation and the lineup. The recent addition of Miguel Andújar on a $4 million deal gives them a versatile bat, but it’s clear the front office has more moves in mind-particularly when it comes to first base and offensive depth.
One name drawing serious interest? Ty France.
According to recent reports, the Padres are among three teams pursuing the former Gold Glove-winning first baseman, joining the Cleveland Guardians and Colorado Rockies in the mix. And while competition is always a factor, the Padres could have a clear path here-neither Cleveland nor Colorado is expected to aggressively chase France, meaning San Diego has a real shot if they’re willing to meet his asking price.
France, now 31 and a free agent, is coming off a season where his defense stood out more than his bat. He earned a Gold Glove for his work at first base, splitting time between the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays. But offensively, it was a down year-his .681 OPS and 88 OPS+ were both well below league average, and he finished with just 1.0 bWAR.
That said, the broader picture on France is still promising. His career OPS+ sits at 108, with a career OPS of .735-numbers that suggest he can still provide value at the plate, even if he's not the same hitter he was a few seasons ago. For a team like the Padres, who are looking for cost-effective, experienced help, France could be a smart addition.
But there’s a catch: the roster fit isn’t seamless.
Bringing in France would create a logjam at first base, where Jake Cronenworth currently resides. That makes a potential Cronenworth trade a logical next step if the Padres do land France. It’s a situation that would require some roster maneuvering, but one that could ultimately leave the team in a stronger spot-especially if France can rediscover some of the offensive form that made him an All-Star.
With Spring Training just around the corner, the Padres still have time-and motivation-to make moves. Ty France is a name to watch closely as they look to round out a roster that’s clearly still under construction.