The New York Yankees and the New York Mets appear to have their sights set on a common target in free agency.
According to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, the two New York clubs are among those who have kicked the tires on former All-Star Ty France.
“As reported last night, Diamondbacks are in on Carlos Santana as a free agent 1B target. They’ve also talked to Ty France, per source, though France has a robust market. Mets and Yankees have been involved with him, plus Padres and others. That market is moving,” Cotillo wrote in a social media post on Sunday.
The 31-year-old France most recently saw action with the Toronto Blue Jays, who acquired him from the Minnesota Twins just before last year’s MLB trade deadline.
He hit just 257/.320/.360 for the Twins and Blue Jays last season, but he impressed enough defensively to earn his first Gold Glove. The Yankees have Ben Rice expected to be their regular starter at first base, but France could still see playing time in that spot if he ends up wearing Yankees pinstripes.
As for the Mets, who are having an awesome offseason despite missing out on the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, they could have a bigger role in store for France, who was an All-Star in 2022 with the Seattle Mariners.
Jorge Polanco is projected to start at first base in 2026 for the Mets, but he’s only played a game in that position so far in his MLB career.
