Mets Reportedly Show Interest in Free-Agent First Baseman Ty France

The New York Mets have reportedly shown interest in free-agent first baseman Ty France after his bounce-back season with the San Diego Padres.

Michael Marino reported Friday that the Mets are looking at France as they explore ways to improve at first base. Marino reported interest in the veteran, with no indication that New York has made an offer or scheduled a meeting.

France, 32, hit .295 with 21 home runs and 72 RBIs in 440 at-bats for the Padres in 2026, according to MLB.com. He finished with a .363 on-base percentage and an .865 OPS.

That production came after France signed a minor league deal with San Diego in February. He made the Opening Day roster and appeared in 127 games at first base, giving the Padres a regular at the position after entering camp on a minor league contract.

France’s right-handed bat would give the Mets a way to complement Jared Young. The left-handed Young hit .266 with nine home runs and a .759 OPS in 103 games last season. He hit all nine of those homers against right-handed pitching, against whom he posted a .793 OPS.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said at the General Managers Meetings that Young could be part of the solution at first base. Stearns said the team plans to add help and could bring in someone to play regularly or split time with Young.

France’s workload in San Diego makes him a candidate for regular at-bats. If the Mets prefer to share the position, they could give Young starts against right-handers and use France against left-handers. New York relied on several players at first base in 2026 after Pete Alonso left for Baltimore and Jorge Polanco struggled with injuries and inconsistent production.

The Mets would have competition if they decide to pursue France. Several teams have shown interest, and France said after the Padres’ playoff exit that he would like to stay in San Diego. He spent his first two major league seasons with the Padres before they traded him to Seattle in 2020.

A year ago, France had to wait until February for a minor league deal. He enters this winter coming off a season as a regular, and the Mets are weighing how much playing time they want their next first baseman to take on.