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Ty France should be one of Padres’ priorities this offseason

The San Diego Padres should prioritize retaining Ty France this offseason after his standout 2026 campaign. The veteran first baseman, who joined the team on a minor-league deal in 2025, earned a full-time role by outplaying Gavin Sheets and Nick Castellanos for the starting job.

France delivered a breakout season with 21 home runs, 72 RBIs, and a .295/.363/.502 slash line in 133 games, while also anchoring the cleanup spot and providing elite defensive stability at first base. His Gold Glove-caliber fielding—highlighted by a NL nomination—allowed infielders to play aggressively, reinforcing his value as a two-way cornerstone.

Though he’ll hit free agency, France has expressed a clear preference for returning to San Diego, where he previously spent time before being traded to Seattle in 2020. His journey back to the Padres, including stops with the Reds, Twins, and Blue Jays, underscores his resilience and adaptability, making him a perfect fit for a franchise that has struggled with consistency at first base in recent years.

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