Blue Jays Gold Glove free agent asked to change positions in free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Toronto Blue Jays have seen a few key players leave in free agency this offseason, with Bo Bichette being the most notable one, as he signed a $126 million deal with the New York Mets.

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But, as part of his free agency, he had to switch positions. He’s no longer a shortstop, but instead will play third base. He also drew free agent interest as a second baseman. To land a better deal, Bichette had to compromise and switch his position.

Oddly enough, another Blue Jays free agent is also in a similar situation. According to Katie Woo and Will Sammon of The Athletic, Blue Jays’ free agent Ty France might also be changing positions to land a new deal, despite being a Gold Glove winner.

Blue Jays’ Ty France open to position change to ink new deal

“Ty France could expand to second base,” Woo and Sammon report. “A couple of teams have asked the free agent first baseman about playing some second base, league sources said.”

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Moving France, a Gold Glove award winner from the 2025 season, off of first base would be an odd decision, to say the least.

But Woo and Sammon clarified that, while teams would want France to play some second base, it wouldn’t be as a full-time option. “Those same clubs primarily see France as a first baseman.”

While there might be some teams interested in signing France to a free agent deal with the appeal of France playing some second base, they aren’t going to completely change his position.

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More: MLB Hot Stove tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades for 2025 free agency

France’s Gold Glove defense at first base is worth a lot, and not something a team would willingly give up on if they signed him.

These teams just want the flexibility to move France around the infield, which he has experience with, if necessary.

The 31-year-old free agent infielder had a .277 batting average and a .693 OPS in 37 games for the Blue Jays in 2025 after being acquired from the Minnesota Twins.

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France’s market hasn’t been as robust as other free agents, but now, late in the offseason, his market is heating up. France won’t be switching positions like Bichette, but teams do want the veteran free agent to increase his versatility before signing him.

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