The Diamondbacks, Mets, Padres, and Yankees are among the teams that have shown interest. Franceaccording to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. The free agent first baseman won the AL Gold Glove Award last season, although he hit only .257/.320/.360 with seven homers over 490 plate appearances with the Twins and Blue Jays.
After hitting .285/.355/.443 over 1418 PA during the 2020-22 seasons, France went from a 129 wRC+ over those three years to a 106 wRC+ in 2023, and a 93 wRC+ over the past two seasons. France has been making contact at an above-average rate, but his hard contact rates are average and he hasn’t had many walks. Defensively, France’s glovework was in the public metrics view before he got back out there to post +10 Outs Above Average and +9 Defensive Runs Saved over 976 2/3 innings early in 2025, leading to his first Glove.
France is a right-handed hitter without a team split, as his numbers against right-handed and left-handed hitters are very similar throughout his career. Teams in the market for a first-round right-hander may prefer a more straightforward masher, although the Frenchman’s new defensive ability is a bonus.
The Yankees have it Ben Rice (left-handed bat) ranked as first baseman once Giancarlo Stanton locked into the DH role. Some at-bats may be available on days when Rice plays catcher, but France will be used as a part-time tight end when he goes to the Bronx. The same could be true in Queens, as the Mets plan to use it Jorge Polanco as a first baseman, as well Mark Vientos again Brett Baty it will be at DH, or in the outfield where Polanco or other Mets veterans get a DH day. Having an experienced first baseman like France would be helpful for the Mets, considering Polanco has only played one MLB game at first.
Left batting Pavin Smith will get the bulk of Arizona’s starting job, but between the starting platoon role and the open DH spot, France will have plenty of opportunity to play against the Diamondbacks. Words like this Paul Goldschmidt again Carlos Santana they were also linked with the D’Backs this winter as part of the team’s ongoing search for a first baseman.
Signing with the Padres would be a homecoming for France, a SoCal product who played college ball at San Diego State. France began his career as the 34th pick of the Padres in the 2015 draft, and spent parts of his first MLB season with the Friars before being dealt to the Mariners as part of a seven-player trade at the 2020 deadline.
A return to San Diego at age 31 would position France as a right-handed complement among the remainder of left-handed bats vying for time in the right side of the Padres’ infield. Jake Cronenworth, Sung Mun Song, Is Wagneragain Gavin Sheets all the pitchers left, and the Padres don’t have a DH set. The Sheets are expected to be the starting base with Cronenworth as the favorite for the DH job and Song bouncing around to multiple positions, but there is a lot to change as the Padres see things. Song is getting his first taste of the Major League after nine seasons in the KBO League, and minor injuries could delay the start of his first MLB campaign.
