The New York Mets are actively seeking upgrades at first base after their unit finished last in fWAR during the 2026 season.
The front office has identified free agent Ty France as a primary candidate to bolster the position, as reported by Michael Marino on X.com.
Marino noted that “the Mets have shown interest in free-agent first baseman Ty France as they look to bolster the position.”
The team is looking for a proven hitter to fill the void left by the departure of Pete Alonso in free agency.
France, 31, is coming off a career-best season with the San Diego Padres where he recorded 21 home runs and 24 doubles.
According to Matt Carroll of JustBaseball.com, the Mets suffered from significant production deficits at first base that included both poor hitting and defensive struggles.
The team’s first base unit managed only an 85 wRC+ last season, placing them just ahead of the league’s lowest-ranked teams.
France achieved a personal-best 4.5 bWAR and a 139 OPS+ during his most recent campaign.
The Mets are also considering other options, including infielder Alec Bohm, to address their lineup needs.
As noted by MLB Trade Rumors, the club met with Bohm at the general manager meetings to discuss a potential deal.
However, France may represent a more cost-effective solution for the organization.
The market for first basemen has already seen movement, as Jake Bauers recently agreed to a four-year, $58 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.
Despite previous inconsistent performance, the Mets believe France offers the necessary upside to contribute immediately.
The front office remains focused on securing a run-producer who can provide stability in the batting order.
Both France and Bohm currently stand as the leading choices for the Mets as they continue their offseason roster reconstruction efforts.