Ty France’s Padres homecoming comes with a heavy expectation

A lot has changed since Ty France last plied his trade for the San Diego Padres in 2020, both for the player and team.

Originally drafted by the Friars (in the 34th round!) in 2015, France said that San Diego was his preferred destination all offseason. Talking to a media scrum at spring camp, the veteran first baseman explained: "The foundation that they've laid here as far as the winning culture. [I got a] taste of the World Series last year, and tried to land somewhere where that's still a possibility. Like I said, they've put together a great group here... I'm hoping to be a part of that and try and make a run with this group."

The 31-year-old signed a minor-league deal with the team, so he'll have to earn his way onto the Opening Day roster in order to fulfill those lofty goals. Having won the Gold Glove at first base last year with the pennant-winning Toronto Blue Jays, odds are that France has a good chance to make that happen.

Ty France sets championship-or-bust expectations for Padres in 2026

Back when France was originally traded to the Seattle Mariners in 2020, the Padres had yet to break their postseason drought. Now, the team has made it to October four times in six years, including an NLCS appearance in 2022.

Of course, having fallen just short of a title with the Blue Jays, France knows that the ultimate goal isn't consecutive postseason appearances or 90-win seasons — it's a World Series title, something the Padres have yet to accomplish.

In order to help San Diego overcome the Los Angeles Dodgers and finally end that drought, France will need to emerge from a suddenly crowded infielder competition in spring training. Along with fellow late-offseason acquisitions Nick Castellanos and Miguel Andujar, plus incumbents Will Wagner and Mason McCoy, France is at the center of a much-improved bench group.

One thing work in his favor is his superior glove; France produced 10 Outs Above Average and 9 Defensive Runs Saved at first base in 2025 en route to a Gold Glove, a stark contrast from the negatively graded work he offered at the cold corner in years prior. He's also flashed some nice leather at second and third base, which could give him a leg up over Castellanos for the final bench spot (assuming Andujar is the DH and Gavin Sheets starts at first).

Even if he has to open up the campaign in Triple-A El Paso, France's homecoming comes at a crucial moment in Padres history. The core is growing older and more expensive, and the Dodgers are only becoming more and more dominant. If the team is ever going to deliver on their championship expectations, 2026 may be the best chance to so.