3 other free agents Padres can target next offseason with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off the market

In the latest wave of massive contract extensions in Major League Baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays finally locked down their face of the franchise in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He will be getting $500 million in the 14-year extension, which could keep him in Canada for the remainder of his career.

The San Diego Padres also sounded off this week in the contract extension department, handing outfielder Jackson Merrill a nine-year deal to keep him in Southern California through the rest of his 20s. Now that the Padres' core is looking to get cemented, it is time to think about what they will do at first base long-term.

Luis Arraez is playing first base this season, but he has been a major focal point in baseball trade talks. If he goes, who could the Padres target, especially with Vlad Jr. officially off the market? Josh Naylor, Ty France, and Rowdy Tellez could be solid options who won't burn a hole in the front office's pockets.

3 first base free agents Padres can target next offseason with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off the market

Josh Naylor

Naylor would be the prime target, ideally for San Diego. He brings an electricity to the plate, but backs it up with his numbers. The 27-year-old had a breakout campaign in 2024, blasting 31 home runs and 108 RBIs, which placed him on the American League All-Star roster for the first time in his career. He is with the Arizona Diamondbacks this season on a one-year deal, and has four doubles and a .300 batting average to begin the year.

Among the three players named, Naylor would be the most expensive, but he would also produce the most by far.

Ty France

On an unbelievably cheap one-year, $1 million deal with the Minnesota Twins, the 30-year-old could be a sneaky signing for two to three years. With a career 111 OPS+, France could be the perfect combination of rostering a consistent hitter without spending anything on him.

The San Diego State alum is a versatile defender and can play practically anywhere within the infield, but the Padres' biggest need would be at first base.

Rowdy Tellez

If Naylor nor France work out for the Friars, Rowdy Tellez would not be a terrible third option. He just turned 30 years old, and also fits the same mold as Naylor, who brings a lot of energy to the clubhouse.

Tellez is off to a bit of a brutal start, logging just one hit in 18 at-bats so far with the Seattle Mariners. However, he always begins a new year with a slow start, and tends to turn it on in the second half of the season. His OPS goes up almost 100 points higher in the back-half of the regular season, which could prove vital for the Padres, a franchise always looking to contend down the stretch with the LA Dodgers in the NL West standings.