In the year 2050, when the question “name a random 2025 Toronto Blue Jay” arises, Ty France’s name will be uttered a time or two.

He was one of the unheralded players who jumped on board Toronto’s train to the World Series. Viewed more as a salary dump by the Minnesota Twins — who also handed over Louis Varland in that deal — France held his own down the stretch for the eventual American League champs.

While Blue Jays fans are counting their lucky stars for that trade every day given Varland’s emergence as an elite reliever, France faded into the background last winter. He signed in late February with the San Diego Padres to very little fanfare, but it turned out to be one of the best value free agent deals of 2026.

A team like the Blue Jays should never close themselves off from the chance to improve their roster, but this is a rare case where a franchise staple is standing in the way of a few attractive options on the free agent market. France is going to get paid, but whether it’s by his former club remains to be seen.

There may not be a player who had a bigger glow-up in 2026 than France. Limited to a bench role and work as a defensive replacement during the second half of 2025, France blossomed as a full-time first baseman with the Padres this past season.

Signed to a one-year, $2-million contract with the Friars, it was one of the best bargains in baseball. France went from a 0.9 fWAR season with the Minnesota Twins and Blue Jays in 2025 to a 3.6 fWAR season with the Padres. A 2.7 WAR improvement year-over-year — in only 133 games, by the way — is a return on investment general managers can only dream about.

According to FanGraphs’ Value metric, France was worth $28.6 million for the Padres in 2026. He slashed .295/.363/.502, hit 21 home runs, and posted a 141 wRC+, by far the best season of his career.

France also played solid defence at first base, which is generally one of the most thankless positions on the diamond. His 15 Defensive Runs Saved led all first basemen, and his 12 Fielding Run Value ranked second among first basemen in 2026.

As the Padres’ primary first baseman, France split duties alongside Gavin Sheets in a 75/25 platoon. France was deployed primarily against right-handed pitching, but he can hold his own against lefties, with a .269/.333/.424 slash line against left-handers. Southpaws tend to neutralize France’s home run power, but he’s no slouch in the box against lefties.

Sporting a BABIP of .342, France benefited from an element of luck in 2026, leading all hitters with a +.047 difference between his expected batting average and his actual batting average. He puts the ball in play a ton, but by the law of averages, the 32-year-old is bound to see some regression in 2027.

Were there not a 27-year-old with a $500-million contract with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s name on it, the Blue Jays would be all over France this offseason. But with 13 years remaining on Guerrero’s deal, he isn’t going anywhere, which makes it difficult to carry two first basemen, let alone two vying for everyday at-bats.

The Blue Jays were able to make it work post-trade deadline in 2025, but that was when France occasionally spelled Guerrero at first base and took at-bats as a bench bat. France will be seeking full-time work as a starting first baseman, not a part-time role. And unlike previous years, he can afford to be picky about which team he signs with.

The Blue Jays do have a spot open for a designated hitter, but with France’s elite defensive skills, it seems like a waste not to have him start 130+ games in the field to maximize his value. His power would be a welcome addition to the Blue Jays, but the fit isn’t ideal.

France is likely in line for a hefty payday, with anything being a massive raise from his meagre $2 million salary in 2026. Spotrac predicts France will fetch a three-year, $49.3-million contract on the open market this offseason. As one of the best bats in the free agent pool, France should have plenty of suitors for his services.