The Padres are expected to sign first baseman Ty France to a minor league deal, reports Dennis Lin of The Athletic. The agreement includes an invitation to MLB Spring Training. France spent time in the big leagues with the Twins and the Blue Jays last season. The veteran infielder is a client of Equity Baseball.
France had interest from multiple teams, but ultimately landed back in San Diego, where it all started. The 31-year-old Southern California native was selected by the club in the 2015 draft. France debuted for the Padres in 2019, but was dealt to the Mariners the following season. He was part of the swap that netted Seattle’s future closer Andres Munoz. Catcher Austin Nola headlined the package that went back to San Diego.
The Padres add another right-handed bat to factor into the first base/DH mix that includes Miguel Andujar and Nick Castellanos. Gavin Sheets is slated to be San Diego’s primary first baseman. The lefty swinger posted an underwhelming .669 OPS against same-handed pitching last season.
France has bounced around since he first broke into the league, but he always seems to compile regular playing time. His 490 plate appearances between Minnesota and Toronto were his fewest since the shortened 2020 season. France posted a 92 wRC+ across 101 games with the Twins. He was dealt to the Blue Jays at the trade deadline along with reliever Louis Varland. France matched that 92 wRC+ in 37 games with Toronto. He went 1-for-4 in brief postseason action.
Despite his perception as a platoon bat, France doesn’t have noticeable splits for his career. Just 12 points separate his OPS against lefties compared to righties. His batting average and on-base percentage are both within 10 points of each other. France has shown a bit more power when facing southpaws, though he’s also struck out more frequently.
France is coming off the best defensive season of his career. He was credited with 9 Defensive Runs Saved and 10 Outs Above Average for his work at first base. The standout performance earned France his first Gold Glove award. Sheets graded out as a neutral defender last season. Andujar is more of a bat-first option. Castellanos received poor marks for his work in right field and has yet to appear in a big-league game at first base. If France makes the team, he’ll be the best defensive option at the cold corner.
Photo courtesy of Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images
France/Casty/Andujar……. Not all making the team…….
They can
France can probably play 2B/3B/COF
Andujar Sheets Castellanos split 1B/DH duties
>France can probably play 2B/3B/COF
He could probably drive Formula One and ice dance in Milan too, but he hasn’t. He played some middle infield in 2019-20, but since then Ty has three innings at 2B since his huge 21 games in 2021, he amassed 17 games at 3B between 2020-22, and in his entire college, minor and major league career he has one AA game in the OF. That’s a total of nine appearances outside 1B/DH since the end of 2021. He’s a 1B.
and I believe he won a gold glove at 1b……could be wrong
He was the 2025 AL Gold Glove winner at 1B.
This is just wild to me. When was the last time a position player won a Gold Glove, entered free agency and then was signed to a Minor League deal the following season?
Just shows how much offense is valued in today’s game.
Two years removed, but Dylan Moore won a GG in 2024 and is now fighting for the last roster spot on the Phillies. Good chance he ends up at Triple-A as emergency depth.
I mean it’s 1b, besides Dh it’s the least impactful defensive position.
Offense is ofcourse valued but if he played pretty much any other position he would be more valuable and wanted
I’d bet a million bucks France is better at 2B h than Arraez
Yes, that is a fact
Wouldn’t be possible for the team to roster France in addition to Andular and Castellanos, not enough space on the 26-man.
Yeah I can see all 3 making the Pods Taxi Squad. 100%
He won’t. France will play 1B in El Paso unless there is an injury.
Likely not, preller seems to be creating a competition at the 1b/dh spot.
Should be interesting to see how it all works out. Definitely means Casty making the team not a given.
Andujar probably makes the team given they are paying him more than the others. Plus his abilities to hit lefties better than the others.
Yeah they gave him $4.5M. He’s making the team. Castellanos is at league minimum and France is a MiLB deal. They are competing for RHH bench spot
Even before Ty France, thought that about Nick. He should have went somewhere that didn’t have a logjam of RH. Now Ty France has a great glove, Castellanos already looks out there door.
It’s a minor league deal. France starts the year in El Paso.
Considering he had other options. Seems odd he would sign for a team where he thinks being in the minors is a big possibility.
Though only 31 years old, he has declined ( as a hitter) considerably since 2022. Maybe his options have become quite limited, but I’d be surprised if he plays much in minors.
A chord of fear just hit me – Ty solidifies 1b more so than Nick or Miguel.
Does AJ like that and moves Gavin to LF to open up a trade of Ramon for a SP?
Don’t see France being the primary 1b. Likely platoon option.
He would more likely stick Casty in LF than sheets. Neither are very good in the outfield.
I do think it’s possible he could trade Laureano. Though that would likely make the team weaker in LF barring Casty having a boondocks season. With Laureano being a rental it’s hard to see how good of a pitcher he could bring back.
Gut says Laureano stays, though I do think it’s possible he could be traded.
Ramon is a rental but at his salary he is worth more and more teams would look at adding him.
That thought should strike a whole symphony of fear.
Preller already said that Castellanos was being signed to provide backup at DH/1B. Nothing about him playing OF at all and that is good. When Gavin Sheets is better in the field than you are, you are absolutely terrible.
Veterans like him can usually opt out
Andujar will make the Padres roster. He signed a major league deal and has been an effective hitter against both LHP and RHP. He absolutely crushes LHP but still hit at an above average pace against RHP. He is an injury risk, so having depth behind him is critical and that is what Castellanos and France represent. Depth.
France signed a minor league deal and is El Paso bound. He hasn’t hit for the last 4 seasons. He is the kind of depth player every team needs and doesn’t mind casting off after they fill in for a week or two in the majors.
Castellanos is a DFA candidate unless he turns it up a few notches in spring training. I hope he can focus that pride into changing his game so that he can be an effective role player coming off the bench. If not, he gets dumped. Being friends with Machado won’t guarantee him a roster spot. The call with Preller and Stammens before the signing underlines the fact that they are not going to put up with any BS from him.
Preller has done an excellent job of filling holes and acquiring depth. The team is far ahead of where they were at this point last season with the exception of Darvish. Remember that Pivetta, Fermin, Miller, Sheets, and Laureano were not yet part of the team when they opened spring training. Instead we had Heyward in LF, Joe as the 4th OF, Iglesias as the Util, Gurriel at DH, Maldonado as the backup catcher, and Kyle Hart as the #5 starter.
This team is really good and it’s going to be fun going to Petco every game.
C Fermin/Campusano
1B Sheets/France
2B Cronenworth
3B Machado
SS Bogaerts
LF Laureano
CF Merrill
RF Tatis Jr.
DH Castellanos
Bench one of the Catchers, whichever of Sheets/France isn’t in the lineup. Song, Andujar
Padres suddenly need a lefty bat! It would be so nice to have an everyday, legitimate, left-handed 1B. … Like Ryan O’Hearn, who’s not even necessarily a 100% non-platoon player.
The Padres have been rampaging through what’s left of the free agent market the past couple weeks.
Gold glove 1B last year.
If it meant anything he wouldn’t be signing a minor league contract
Well, a marginal 1B can make a gold glove infield look marginal, too. Ty had a pretty consistent bat, just not quite enough slug, for his position.
No one has mentioned, that France’s natural position is 3B. He can play both corners well. Considering Arraez declining year, last year, France is arguably an improvement at 1B, and offers flexibility at 3B, too.
I don’t think France signed to play in AAA. I’m certain that he has an opt out early in the season, or maybe day one, if he’s not on the team.
A 1B that makes a lot of scoops in the dirt and corrals a lot of offline throws can help the rest of the infield commit less errors. Arraez was better than France at that last year. 15 scoops vs 11. Arraez’s issue is not catching the baseball, its range. In fact, his only error at 1B was on a throw to try to turn a DP. France has great range at 1B but was near the bottom in catching errant throws.
The last time France played more than 6 games at 3B was 2019. He was moved off 3B by Preller because he was not good defensively. He played 9 games at 3B for Seattle in 2020-2021 and not at all since then,
Regardless of what he thinks he signed to do, France is headed to El Paso until and unless there is an injury. I hope we never have to see him in San Diego. That means Andujar and Sheets are covering 1B and both are better hitters than France.
Interesting…
Hah! The new market inefficiency: guys that kind of hit and can only play first to varying degrees. They already had Cronenworth and those other guys and they got Jose Miranda in December, so heads up Rhys and Rowdy and we’ll see you at the trade deadline!
Was wondering what took so long on this move. Seemed like a reunion that had to happen.
Just a guess but I think the padres may trade laureano.
With Casty and even Miguel being able to play left field. Maybe not well but left field at petco isn’t that demanding of a spot.
That then opens up 1b/dh spot for France.
If Laureano is traded keep an eye on the royals and Mets as possible spots.
Of course this could just be adding competition but it feels like an overload over similar players.
The pile up at 1b/DH really is interesting, so is the one at #5 SP. Something has to give beyond just creating healthy competition. So I agree a trade might be in the works, whether it’s Laureano (who is a great bargain btw) or not.
Yeah. It could just be Preller adding depth options. It’s kind of been some of the shortcomings in years past.
Right now there are several options at 1b/dh/of/sp/rp.
Relief options being the ones with the highest upside. It just feels like something else is in the works. Especially when you add in him saying more is to come along with roster additions…meaning not just minor league deals.
Yeah, maybe he signs Hoskins and Giolito today haha and we go into the season with 9 SPs and half a dozen 1Bmen
Been a pretty wild last couple of days. Mountcastle trade incoming.
Would you trade Laureano for Bubic and stick Casty in LF?
Just spitballing other possible options they could be looking at beside the just let the best man win a job.
I don’t want Casty playing D anywhere…
In a bubble I’d probably say yes on Laureano for Bubic or his equal. But it would create quite the situation for the #5 slot in the rotation. Barring a trade for any of those competing for #5, and assuming #5-7 in the order is Vasquez, Marquez and Canning, it really pushes Sears, McKenzie, Hart, and Waldron out of the picture and some will be lost. Mendez would be looking at 2027.
Unclear who would slot into LF, with France now in play it could be Sheets again or even Andujar instead of Casty
@Brew & Simm:
France appears to be a contact hitter with some pop. His defense is an improvement Arraez, and considering Arraez declining year, last year, how much of a drop off is his bath from Arraez. Ty at least has potential, even at age 31, to improve the position. Plus, 3B is his natural position. He can relieve Manny on occasion. I expect France has an early opt out, if he’s not on the 26 man roster on day 1 or shortly after, he’ll be a free agent again.
Agree if doesn’t make 26 he’s likely a FA again. Which the Preller way means he will be kept and either Johnson or Song goes to the minors
Castellanos cannot play LF at all. He’s been among the worst defenders in all of baseball the past 4 years. He’s strictly DH and maybe 1B. Andujar and Sheets can play LF in a pinch but are poor defenders. We’ll see what happens with Sung, but I don’t see the Padres trading Laureano even if 2025 was a career year. He’s still a strong defender who can cover CF.
Straight- all fair points.
I think they will yet another starter via free agency. Though if the right pitcher was available via trade. Laureano I don’t think will be off the table.
The fact that the padres are already working Casty at 1b makes Laureano being moved even less likely.
I think they’re just too thin at OF (both MLB and organization) to trade him, and AFAIK Preller has only ever traded first-year MLB players off the roster. Can’t rule anything out completely, though.
I actually feel pretty good with pitching depth at the moment, but you can never have enough arms!
To clarify, only traded first year MLB players when he’s added at the deadline.*
I think the outfield depth really depends on how much they value defense in left.
They have in LF…Johnson, Laureano, sheets, Miguel, Casty…perhaps song. Though half those dudes are 1b options as well.
Problem is only Johnson and Laureano provide any defensive value.
Johnson I believe will make the team because of his defensive value. Remember this is a team that rolled out sheets for many games in left. So you can’t run out preller rolling out a guy like Casty in left.
Now it would have to be for a starter that fits in the upper half of the rotation.
Long shot I agree.
Fair points. I think Sheets in LF was an organizational reach but they had no options after Profar left and the Heyward signing fizzled, plus Arraez had 1B locked down. It was Laureano’s spot after the trade deadline. I like Johnson but he’s not starter quality on offense. It is looking more likely that Padres will carry Castellanos and Andujar for 1B/DH/PH platoon. Not my preferred arrangement with how righty-heavy the bench is, but we’ll see what happens.
Technology they have two lefties on the bench in Johnson and song. Along with sheets as he won’t be starting vs lefties.
That’s probably enough.
You only get 4 bench spots.
Preller at times especially in the outfield has rolled out questionable defensive guys. All th way back to Wil starting in center his first year. Even profar for years when he wasn’t great out there.
Though Laureano was a very good offensive player last year and brings at least avg defense in left.
Where is Towinagain? I’m seriously concerned not being funny. Has he changed his handle?
I’d be a surprised if they didn’t roster Johnson given he’s a plus defender at all OF positions and offers much-needed pinchrunner speed
Good question. Haven’t read any posts that resemble his (they were unique after all) from any new handles.
Gwynning is also quiet these past three active days!
re: straightup …
“I actually feel pretty good with pitching depth at the moment, but you can never have enough arms!”
The Pads thought that at this time, a year ago. Who knew King would be out most of the year, or ineffective. Who knew that both Musgrove AND Darvish had arm issues back to Spring Training, and were just hanging on. Who knew that Cease would be as inconsistent as he was. The Pads were lucky to make the play-offs at all, with the starting rotation they had. And, lol, who knew that Vásquez would be the guy saving the season.
Yeah, ya can never have enough arms, because there’s no such thing as “proven pitching depth”. Just proven pitcher’s surgeons.
re: “Gwynning is also quiet these past three active days!”
Brew, the slow off-season probably put him to sleep. 🙂
I saw a post from him the other day.
He was abducted by aliens
Bryce Johnson hit .342 last season in only 76 ABs, but still.
Yes, it was kind of funny how late in season he would get a start and continually seem to go 1-3 and then get a random pinch hit as well.
Now, does anyone that has watched SD the past few years believe he can do that over 200-300 AB’s – not likely. However, he did show enough to overlook his career numbers to go along with defense and speed to ensure he is the 4th OFer.
Not sure if it is going to be Laureaono that moves, but I agree, a trade is coming.
Not sure if you saw it but I had posted above my fear that Ramon is next piece moved.
Like minds!
That said, Ramon and Estrada would bring a pretty fair SP return, I’d think. Trading from depth is an AJ thing.
Or he just trades for Abrams and we scratch our heads.
Or Bogey for Francisco Lindor and we wet our beds
If we do deal Laureano for a decent SP I’m hoping Ornelas gets a shot in LF. I acknowledge we can’t rely on him alone but I like that Ornelas swings from the left side.. This team needs more good left-handed hitters.
He will get a shot during ST. If he is taking, by adding Ty for possible 1b, Ramon is even more likely to packaged with a a reliever for a controllable SP – mid rotation type.
Winnie- for whatever reason preller just doesn’t seem to be high in him. His best shot was last year when we were rolling out bums in left to start the season.
He didn’t get much of a shot for sure but he also didn’t hit when given a shot.
Ornelas got injured. That’s what ended his shot in San Diego in 2025. Plantar fasciitis
1-14 with 2 walks and 2 SO wasn’t going to allow him much more time even if he had an injury. If memory serves, the 1 was a weak single.
I like the guy ajd have pulled for him since he signed.
Everyone on this team is a 1B or a SS
Getting Ty France on a minor league deal instead of what Arráez got paid is an absurdly good win for Pads
I had figured France would have been a target for the Nationals given the price range, righty bat, and their lack of options at 1st. I suppose they just were not going to sign a guy who is 31 even to plug a hole and flip him at the deadline (their common move from 2020-2025). I guess they feel Andres Chaparro turning 27 this year deserves a shot at the short-side bat before Yohandy Morales is given a shot. Pretty bleak, to be honest.
Nothing wrong with some competition, brings out the best in some folks…
2 SDSU legends coming home this offseason!
Oops, all RH 1B/designated hitters!
Andujar, Castellanos and now France.
“THE PADRES ARE RUINING BASEBALL!”
🙂
All 3 are going to be on team.
France= 1b insurance.
Happy to see France with the team again. Unfortunately, he as some things to prove to make the 26 man roster. However, the season is long, and having him in AAA, one phone call away, might work out for both the Pads and France.
Competition brings out the best in an athlete. The Padres have it, in Spring Training, a long with a solid backbone, i.e. regular roster. As far as the position players, the Pads are TONS better off than last year, even though there may be “question marks” attached to a half dozen players, i.e. new additions and NRI’s.
Ironically, that may be the case with starting pitching, too. The Padres THOUGHT that they had a pretty good rotation going into 2025, but Musgrove, King, Darvish, were never right. King and Musgrove appeared to have it coming into the season, but reality hit pretty quickly. Darvish was never really effective, either on the IL or not right on the mound. 2026 may prove that the Pads have a stronger rotation on opening day than in 2025.
It’s Spring Training, when the future on 30 teams looks just grand (or at least, hopeful). 🙂
I would add that Cease was very subpar as well.
What looked like an excellent rotation going into 2025 ended up being led by #4 (at the time) Pivetta, and guys like Vasquez, Bergert, Kolek and the BP held them together.
Yeah, I added that about Cease in another comment. I also said that “Who knew, Vasquez would end up saving the season”, tongue in cheek. Forgot all about Pivetta. Senior-itis.
Anyhow, I like where the Pads are going into ’26, with Musgrove back (I’d be shocked if he isn’t back to 100% – he’s that kind of guy), King, and Pivetta, plus the rest of the arms. Darvish was never really a factor from day 1, so those three look better than what we had starting opening day last year.
My guess is that we’re gonna be looking back in 3 months, with the world saying “Dang, Preller did it again, with no budget left!”. Same as with the farm system within 2 years.
Ex-Padre LF Jack Suwinski was just cut by the Pirates. Sign him and deal Laureano for a decent SP?
Suwinski would be an interesting depth add but he’s not ML viable right now.
“but he’s not ML viable right now.”
Well, at this point in the off-season, who is? (Not sure I’d want him in the mix; the Pads have filled out the Spring Training roster pretty well, already.)
Ha, fair enough. He’s struggled a ton the last two seasons (but is performing well at AAA). Might need a change of scenery approach, but 0 options for a depth piece is a pretty hard sell with his recent performance.
Clearly France is the better defensive 1st baseman out 8f all they got. Why wouldn’t he play there.
Padres would like some pop at 1B. Last year’s catching an 1B crew left the Pads missing “just one bat, one long ball away” most of the time. France has some power, but maybe not enough. Has been more of a high OBP kind of guy (though his stats look good, I dunno for sure, haven’t followed him since he left SD & Seattle ).
Folks wondered why Ty France would sign with San Diego, on a minor league deal. As a GG 1st baseman, was that the best deal on the table? Maybe, maybe not.
However, just out of curiosity, I checked to see what kind of career he’s had financially. So far, his record shows $12M, which doesn’t include his Paders years, which were probably at the major league minimum (pre-arb).
So, Ty’s probably not poor, probably set for life, yet he’s 31 years old, hasn’t “made it” in terms of a $20M or $30M type of contract. He’s bounced around, had some “ok”, years. My guess is that he decided that he’d like to come home to SD, perhaps pick up the Padres “World Series” year, put up some numbers to make himself more competitive, certainly have some fun doing it, and perhaps set himself up for a “silly money” career ending contract.
Not talking $100M, but doubling what he’s made to date, would certainly qualify as “silly money” to me. The difference in where his family lives and kids go to school. The difference between a camping vacation, or taking the family to Europe, or even Japan, on a spontaneous lark.
Anyhow, add all of that back up. Playing back in San Diego, with the SD coaches and organization, getting back to his career basics, playing a “prove it” year at Petco, and either ending his career there (if everything went wrong) or properly extending it. Yeah, I can see why Ty made the decision to sign with San Diego. A lot of folks were really ticked that the Padres traded him. He’ll have a warm welcome back at Petco. I hope he gets the optimal outcome he seeks. It’ll be a win for everyone in SD (and … ah .. those of us who moved elsewhere 10 years ago, too). 😉
Geez I thought it said Pirates signed him; that would have been a good opportunity…
So much for Austin Nola being Preller’s only bad trade.
Outside of Bullpen, what is this team’s strength? (Ability to raise hell at an ATM not withstanding).
Manny, Fernando & Merrill HAVE to be stars for this team to be any real threat. Power? Defense? Speed?? Those three need to make these Padres go!