MLB Free Agent Rumors: 3 Teams Interested in Former Blue Jay Ty France (inc. Yankees)

With veteran Carlos Santana off the market now, having signed his free agent deal for 2026, we could see a run on a number of other similar position players. Ty France, who spent the end of the 2025 season and the playoffs with the Toronto Blue Jays, apparently has a "robust market" according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.

Free-agent INF Ty France “has a robust market,” per @ChrisCotillo

Cotillo notes the following teams have expressed interest in France:#DBacks #Yankees #Mets #Padres pic.twitter.com/ev8UulRVoH
— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) February 2, 2026

He listed four teams this week as interested parties in France, though one of them, the Arizona Diamondbacks, is off the board now with the signing of Santana.

The other three teams in the running for the 31-year-old former All-Star and Gold Glover are as follows:

New York Yankees
New York Mets
San Diego Padres

Yankees have interest in Ty France as a right-handed bat

The Jays' division rival Yankees have interest, as insider Jon Heyman noted on MLB Network that they're looking to add a right-handed bat.

The Yankees are reportedly looking to add another right-handed bat this offseason.@JonHeyman mentions Paul Goldschmidt, Ty France, Austin Slater and Randal Grichuk as players “on their list.” pic.twitter.com/RVsCO58dw5
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 3, 2026

The Yanks skew largely left-handed, so they "will definitely" sign a RHB, either at first base or in the outfield, Heyman says. France doesn't really have a heavy split as a right-handed hitter, and fared pretty evenly against both sides pitching.

Others they're looking at include a reunion with Paul Goldschmidt, Austin Slater and Randal Grichuk all on the Yankees’ radar.

Goldy hit .336 with a .981 OPS against lefties for them last year, so he's a definite candidate. Another Yankee from last year, Slater, is on the list.

Mets could use a defensive backup at first base, Ty France fits the bill

As for the Mets, they lost their longtime staple at first base, Pete Alonso, so they went out and signed free agent Jorge Polanco. But while he can handle the bat, he has played one inning at first base in his entire career, so having a Gold Glover around like France could make a lot of sense.

Padres need a right-handed bat on the right side of the infield

The Padres also have a need at first, as they let last year's starter Luis Arraez walk in free agency. As the San Diego State product was actually drafted by the Padres in the 34th round of the 2015 draft, this landing spot makes sense as well. The Friars have four left-handed options for first and second base on their roster, France, who plays both of those positions, would certainly be a fit as a right-handed bat.