A recent Gold Glove winner is heading to the West Coast.

According to The Athletic’s Dennis Lin, first baseman Ty France and the San Diego Padres have agreed to a minor league deal for the 2026 season that includes an invite to spring training.

France reunites with the Padres after being drafted by San Diego in 2015 and spending two years with the NL West squad from 2019 through 2020.

The first basmean split last season between the Twins and Blue Jays, signing a one-year deal with the AL Central squad before being shipped to Toronto at the trade deadline alongside reliever Louis Varland.

Between both teams, France amassed a .257/.320/.360 slash line with 25 doubles, seven home runs, 52 RBIs, and a .681 OPS. He produced a 1.0 bWAR season and earned his first Gold Glove Award for first base, spending time at the position across both squads. France saw a slight uptick in his average and power with the Jays across 94 at-bats, finding himself playing more off the bench down the stretch due to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. being the go-to first baseman for Toronto.

France also made two appearances for Toronto in the postseason, both in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He went 1 for 4 at the plate with one RBI.

A seven-year veteran of the big leagues, France has suited up for five different teams and will rejoin the Padres almost six years after he last played for the squad. A one-time All-Star, France’s best season came in 2021 when he produced a 4.2 bWAR with the Seattle Mariners, including 18 home runs and a .813 OPS – a career high for the infielder in a full-season (excluding COVID).

France heads into camp looking to find a spot on the Padres bench, competing with Gavin Sheets and fellow non-roster invitee Nick Castellanos for time at first base. Before signing with the Padres, multiple teams were interested in France, including the Guardians, Diamondbacks, and Mets.

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