With just over a week until spring training officially kicks off in Arizona and Florida, several notable MLB free agents remain on the market. The New York Yankees and New York Mets are among the teams showing interest in first baseman Ty France, according to reports from MassLive.
Yankees, Mets Eye France for First Base
Both teams are seeking right-handed hitting options at the corner position.
France, 31, split the 2024 season between the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays, hitting .257/.320/.360 with seven home runs in 138 games. His overall contribution was valued at 1 Win Above Replacement, per Baseball Reference calculations. While a solid fielder at first base, his OPS hasn’t exceeded .700 against either left-handed or right-handed pitching in the last two seasons.
The Yankees, it appears, are also considering a reunion with veteran Paul Goldschmidt, suggesting they’re actively searching for a right-handed bat to complement lefty-hitting Ben Rice at first base.
Did you know? Carlos Santana, despite being 40 in April, remains a viable option for teams seeking a defensively sound first baseman.
Diamondbacks Also in the Mix, Santana a Potential Fit
The Arizona Diamondbacks are also reportedly interested in France, and have also expressed some interest in veteran Carlos Santana, according to 98.7 FM. Currently, Pavin Smith is projected to be the D-backs’ primary first baseman.
Santana hit .219/.308/.325 (77 OPS+) in 124 games last season, split between the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago Cubs. Despite these numbers, Baseball Reference calculated his contribution to be worth 1.1 Wins Above Replacement. Like France, Santana is highly regarded for his defensive abilities around first base, a skill clearly in demand this offseason.
- The Yankees and Mets are both exploring options at first base.
- Ty France is a target for multiple teams, including the Yankees, Mets, Padres, and Diamondbacks.
- Carlos Santana remains a viable option for teams prioritizing defense at first base.
- Arizona is considering both France and Santana to bolster their first base position.
The market for reliable first basemen, particularly those with strong defensive skills, appears to be active as teams prepare for the 2025 season.
