Mets Free Agency Wish List: Ty France Is a Massive First Base Upgrade Looming on the Open Market

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It wasn't difficult to predict, but the New York Mets struggled badly at first base this year. In his end-of-season press conference, David Stearns acknowledged that the organization will look for external alternatives to strengthen the position. Obviously, none of those available on the free-agent market will come close to offering Pete Alonso’s offensive production, but some of them could somewhat offset what has been lost in the wake of his departure. We have discussed several candidates here, among whom Jake Bauers stood out, though he will have to respond to a pending $23.15 million qualifying offer from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Among the available candidates is 32-year-old Ty France, who elected free agency on October 29 after starring in one of the most interesting comebacks of the season with the San Diego Padres. The first baseman went from needing an opportunity through a minor-league contract to producing a .295/.363/.502 slash line with 21 home runs, 72 RBIs, and a 141 wRC+. France posted career highs with 3.6 fWAR—practically matching his combined 4.1 total between the 2022 and 2025 seasons—a .207 ISO, a 7.4% walk rate, and a .342 BABIP, the best among all qualified first basemen in the majors.

That offensive improvement brings him quite close to what had been his previous best stretch as a hitter when he posted 5.8 fWAR and hit 28 home runs between the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Seattle Mariners, with the added value of improvements in contact quality and plate discipline. France finished in the 86th percentile in exit velocity and the 84th in Hard-Hit%, but I feel we should be cautious about his power, since his slugging percentage exceeded his xSLG by 81 points. So, we would have to see whether he can sustain his outstanding BABIP, especially when considering his chase rate rose to 34.5% and his whiff rate sat at 28.1%.

Even with some flaws in his offensive game, France still possesses a huge floor thanks to a recent leap in defensive performance, finishing among the Gold Glove finalists at first base this year. After posting -12 Outs Above Average at the position in 2024, France moved to +10 in 2025 and won the American League Gold Glove. This year, he finished in the 93rd percentile in OAA and was the second-most efficient first baseman in the league at picking throws of all difficulty levels, with a +5 Receiving OAA mark, despite his 5’10” height not being ideal for the cold corner.

France’s ability around the first base bag saved his teammates from throwing errors and avoided complications for the Padres’ pitching staff. Mark Vientos and Jared Young, who were usually responsible for the Mets’ first base duties, finished with +1 Receiving OAA combined, but Vientos was a disaster in every other aspect, finishing with -8 Fielding Run Value.

Most likely, France will seek a multi-year contract, with a total value between $30 and $40 million, although some projections point to a smaller investment. Either way, the Mets would be able to afford him, and he'd bring a well-rounded skillset to Queens that would go a long way toward replacing Alonso.