Multiple Teams Eyeing Ty France
The baseball world is abuzz with speculation as multiple teams express interest in Ty France, a free-agent first baseman. According to MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo, the Diamondbacks, Mets, Padres, and Yankees are among those showing interest. France, a right-handed hitter, has a strong defensive reputation, having won the AL Gold Glove Award last season. However, his offensive numbers have been a bit of a mixed bag.
In 2023, France's wRC+ dipped to 106, down from 129 over the previous three seasons. Despite maintaining above-average contact rates, his hard-contact rates are only middling, and he has never been a walk-heavy hitter. France's versatility is evident in his identical numbers against right-handed and left-handed pitching. This makes him a valuable asset for teams seeking a right-handed hitting first baseman.
The Yankees, for instance, already have Ben Rice as their starting first baseman and Giancarlo Stanton as the designated hitter. France would likely be used in a part-time role, providing additional at-bats on days when Rice plays catcher. Similarly, the Mets plan to rely on Jorge Polanco as their starting first baseman, with Mark Vientos and Brett Baty filling in at designated hitter or in the field when needed. An experienced first baseman like France could be a valuable addition to the Mets, given Polanco's limited experience at the position.
The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, have Pavin Smith as their primary first baseman. With a platoon role and an open designated hitter spot, France could see more playing time in Arizona. The team has also been linked to first basemen like Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana, indicating a potential need for additional depth at the position.
France's ties to the Padres are particularly intriguing. As a Southern California native who played college ball at San Diego State, returning to San Diego would be a homecoming. France began his professional career with the Padres as a 34th-round draft pick in 2015, spending parts of his early MLB seasons with the team. If he returns, he would be a right-handed complement to a surplus of left-handed bats, including Jake Cronenworth, Sung Mun Song, Will Wagner, and Gavin Sheets. The Padres' lack of a set designated hitter and the potential for Song's oblique injury to impact his debut campaign add further intrigue to France's potential return to San Diego.
