A look at a proposed deal for Ty France that could help the San Diego Padres.

Ty France has done everything he can to save the San Diego Padres’ season.

Despite a league-worst offense overall, France is on pace to set career highs in OPS, slugging, home runs, and just about every power metric while maintaining the tremendous defensive strides he made in 2025.

He ranks 16th in OPS and 22nd in wOBA in all of MLB (min. 250 plate appearances), albeit his underlying metrics suggest he is getting lucky. His contributions have not gone unnoticed, as the veteran has forced Manager Craig Stammen’s hand into making him a central cog in the Padres offense.

Last 10 Days – Avg EV Leaders

Ty France (28 BBE): 99.5mph
Jimmy Crooks III (12 BBE): 98.6mph
Esmerlyn Valdez (12 BBE): 98.2mph
Heriberto Hernandez (18 BBE): 97.5mph
James Wood (19 BBE): 97.3mph
Alec Bohm (29 BBE): 96.9mph
Austin Riley (24 BBE): 95.7mph

— Jon Anderson (@JonPgh) July 25, 2026

It was a great homecoming season for the former Padre and San Diego State alum, but the team’s offense has looked more like the Padres from his 2019 rookie season as opposed to the one that has made the playoffs in back-to-back years.

France’s heroics may not have been enough on the field this season, but he has given A.J. Preller a reward for his savvy signing regardless. France is likely going to be moving on from the Padres at the deadline for the second time in his career. The bats on the trade market are bleak, and Preller would be wise to cash in on the remaining two months of France’s contract.

While there are a few teams in the mix for a right-handed bat like Ty France, the direst situation is clearly in Cleveland.

While other teams, including a potential Deja vu situation with Seattle, may be more likely to make a move, Cleveland’s -0.6 fWAR from their first basemen this year is quite shocking for a team currently slotted into a playoff spot. They have a lineup full of lefties and an easily replaceable Rhys Hoskins currently slotting into their lineup. Although the Guardians are usually hesitant to buy, Frances’s cheap contract and minimal commitment may be appealing enough for them to pull the trigger for an easy upgrade.

The Trade:

Guardians receive: 1B Ty France

Padres receive: RHP Justin Campbell (9), RHP Andrew Walters (24), and OF George Valera (30)

Justin Campbell

Justin Campbell has a great five-pitch mix and very solid command that could likely make him an MLB starter today on paper.

The problem is, he cannot stay healthy. The 2022 37th overall draft pick out of Oklahoma State did not pitch his first professional inning until 2026! Two straight elbow surgeries and a wrist surgery have kept him off the field for a long time, but it did not seem to affect his performance once he got back out there this April.

Campbell’s 6-foot-5, athletic frame and polished mix have helped him bounce right back into real game action. He posted a 2.61 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 66 strikeouts across 51 ⅔ innings between High-A and Double-A this year, prior to suffering an oblique injury that will sideline him until mid-August. He sits around 95 on his fastball with decent ride and elite extension, making it play much faster. His easy-going delivery helps him maintain solid command despite the injuries and good movement on his breaking pitches. He has a great feel for every pitch he throws, and potentially has room to improve given his frame, athleticism, and relative lack of experience for a 25-year-old. He could easily slot into the Padres’ rotation by 2027 if he stays healthy.

Andrew Walters

The Padres will likely be moving multiple relievers from their deep bullpen at the deadline, and Walters may be an easy-to-acquire arm to fill in on the back end.

Another guy with an injury history, Walters has a nasty fastball-slider combo with wild command. Even though his velocity is down a full tick in 2026, he generates elite extension and ride on his fastball that, like Campbell, makes its velocity play way up. His slider has a gyro shape that helps it drop below bats looking for that rising heater, lefties and righties alike. He also flashes a splitter against lefties that has plenty of promise. It is not a unique repertoire by any means, but his 33.8% whiff rate in 10 MLB innings so far in his career has proven that it is more than enough to compete.

His command did not become an issue until starting pro ball, and he’s shown flashes in his collegiate past of being a more complete pitcher. This, combined with the injuries, is what has ultimately kept him out of the big leagues thus far. The down tick in velocity and a lat strain that has kept him out since May will potentially make him a buy-low candidate if the Guardians do not see him being a part of their bullpen for the 2026 playoff race.

Cleveland #Guardians 25yr old RHP relief prospect Andrew Walters struckout the side in order in the 8th inning tonight for Columbus making his 4th rehab appearance.

Line – 1.0(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 0BB 3SO

(15 Pitches 12 Strikes)

Walters topped out at 97.6 mph.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/q8ZvjEYGQe

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) April 18, 2026

George Valera

A top 100 prospect as recently as 2023, George Valera has mostly fallen out of favor in Cleveland.

The 25-year old has been in the Guardians organization since well before they even went by that name and was seen as a potential star, 5-tool outfielder. After battling injuries just about every year and suffering through some offensive slumps, Valera is now on the outside looking in as the Guardian’s 30th ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, a far cry from the number one rank he held in 2022. He was recently optioned in favor of fringe prospect Petey Halpin, who possesses a better speed and defense profile at this point in their careers.

While Valera is now a sub-par defender, runner, and contact hitter, his power and arm can still make him a valuable major league player. The Padres have lacked a lot of pull-side power in recent years, especially from the left side of the plate, and that’s exactly what Valera still brings to the table. He posted a .748 OPS in a brief MLB stint last year and delivered a clutch playoff home run for the Guardians, but the organization’s preference for speed, contact, and defense has made him very expendable.

Another buy-low candidate, the Padres are a natural fit for Valera’s left-handed outfield power stroke and could likely slide him into left field today without much trouble. Even his lousy .534 OPS in his 13-game stint in the MLB this year would be an upgrade over the Padres’ primary regular, Jase Bowen, right now, and there is a good chance that that number trends up with a change of scenery and regular playing time. A young, controllable, power-hitting outfielder is never a bad thing to have in an otherwise bloated, prospect-deprived organization like the Padres. 

George Valera goes yard! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/cuUpzXDLIA

— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2025

None of these guys are sure bets by any means, but it is difficult to get such a thing out of a rental player like Ty France. Each comes with a significant injury risk, but also absolutely has MLB-quality traits that make them viable prospects with the ability to impact the roster as soon as this year. The Guardians have a strange farm system and do not operate like most teams, so it is difficult to predict exactly how they might view Ty France and their own prospects.

However, the Ty France fit in Cleveland is undeniable, and on paper, they have every reason to be aggressive and shoot for the top of a wide-open American League.

Perhaps both teams help each other out as they head down their respective paths for 2026. 

Jacob Larose

Jacob grew up with Padres season tickets and walls plastered with Khalil Greene memorabilia. He has dedicated all of his young professional career towards becoming baseball’s next AJ Preller, having already worked with minor league and college teams in different roles. He is always scouring the Baseball Savant page to find the next little nugget that might help his hometown Padres (or his fantasy baseball team).