Headlines

  • Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow
  • Astros To Promote Brice Matthews
  • Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers
  • Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help
  • Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays
  • Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Franmil Reyes Signs With NPB’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

By Mark Polishuk | January 29, 2024 at 4:00pm CDT

Jan. 29: The Fighters announced that they’ve signed Reyes.

Jan. 7: Franmil Reyes is on the verge of officially signing with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball, according to multiple reports out of the Dominican Republic.

Reyes hit .260/.325/.503 with 92 home runs with San Diego and Cleveland over 1540 plate appearances during the 2018-21 seasons.  Despite a lot of strikeouts in that span, Reyes looked like one of baseball’s up-and-coming sluggers before his performance took a sudden downturn.  Reyes has hit only .217/.268/.356 with 16 homers in 538 PA since the start of the 2022 season, while striking out over a third of the time.

Though the Guardians were in sore need of power during the 2022 season, Reyes’ struggles were so pronounced that Cleveland designated him for assignment that August, and he was quickly claimed by the Cubs off waivers but didn’t experience much of a bounce-back on his new team.  Reyes has subsequently signed minor league contracts with the Royals and Nationals within the last year, but his contribution to the 2023 Major League season consisted of just 19 games with Kansas City.  His last minor league came on July 8 with the Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate, and Washington released Reyes in August.

Rather than deal with the uncertainty of another minor league contract, Reyes will instead head to Japan on a guaranteed contract and in search of a fresh start to his career.  Reyes is still only 28, so there’s lots of time to potentially seek out a return to MLB if he gets on track with the Fighters, whether next winter or perhaps multiple years down the line.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Nippon Professional Baseball Transactions Franmil Reyes

Yankees Designate Diego Castillo For Assignment
Main
Jarlín García Drawing Interest
View Comments (50)
Post a Comment

50 Comments

  1. Juggy

    2 years ago

    I forgot about this guy

    Reply
    • User 3044878754

      2 years ago

      Ex fat Indian

      3
      Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        2 years ago

        So you’re are saying he became a thin Guardian

        Reyes had a great attitude just too much swing and miss, wish him success with NPB

        12
        Reply
  2. Juggy

    2 years ago

    But then again, he’s very forgettable

    Reply
    • Guard the Vogt

      2 years ago

      Lol and who are you?

      3
      Reply
  3. Cora the Destroya

    2 years ago

    The Franimal

    12
    Reply
  4. Murphy NFLD

    2 years ago

    He strikes me as a guy who could go over there, really figure some stuff out and come back much better. In the Eric Thames vein, I know Eric only had 3 good years out of 5 when he came back but he was twice the player to. Japan is the place to go if you need to learn to hit the breaking ball

    2
    Reply
    • cubfanforever

      2 years ago

      He strikes me as a strike out guy. But he will dwarf the Japanese players. He’s a big dude.

      4
      Reply
    • elmedius

      2 years ago

      … Thames played in Korea.

      2
      Reply
  5. LFGMets (Metsin7) #ConsistentlyBannedBaseballExpert

    2 years ago

    How does Myles Straw and Austin Hedges have a job but not Franmil. These GMs don’t have a clue about how to win baseball games

    2
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      2 years ago

      Austin Hedges is a catcher, a defense-first position

      Straw could lose his job to Florial, and Florial is not that great

      5
      Reply
    • Dennis Boyd

      2 years ago

      Defense

      1
      Reply
    • CKinSTL

      2 years ago

      So if you were a GM you’d sign Franmil Reyes to be your backup catcher or centerfielder?

      3
      Reply
    • solaris602

      2 years ago

      CLE decided they needed more offense from the catching position, so they went right out and signed……..Austin Hedges. And don’t be surprised if that’s the only FA they sign even though they still need a corner OF who can drive in runs. Straw is only employed because he’s in the midst of a 5-year $25M extension. It’s clear to me that no matter what results he produces he’ll be out there every day. They’ll cook off his contract just like they did with Kipnis. I heard last week they were interested in bringing Reyes back – not because he’s gotten his act together, but because nobody else wants him and he works cheap. Guardians don’t scrape the bottom of the barrel, they shop UNDER the barrel.

      3
      Reply
    • Guard the Vogt

      2 years ago

      It’s called defense. Look it up. Cleveland values defense

      1
      Reply
  6. TrumboRedux

    2 years ago

    Do I have to use “google” as my search engine to find it? Or can I use bing? Or duckduckgo?

    4
    Reply
    • TrumboRedux

      2 years ago

      I am just one person though. The world at large needs to know! MLBTR’s might allow you on their podcast.

      2
      Reply
  7. C-Daddy

    2 years ago

    I know they’re technically the Nippon-Ham Fighters, but in our hearts they will always be the Nippon Ham-Fighters.

    9
    Reply
  8. TrumboRedux

    2 years ago

    I want a Ham-Fighters hat with 2 pigs on the front, in samurai attire, swinging kendo sticks at each other.

    1
    Reply
    • SeibuLionsNPB

      2 years ago

      For the right amount of money, you could probably get one made

      3
      Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      2 years ago

      What if both pigs were outfitted in blankets instead? I mean, since you brought it up, I’ll take two pigs in a blanket right now… mmmm

      1
      Reply
      • TrumboRedux

        2 years ago

        That’s right Clip, make me hungry again!

        1
        Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          2 years ago

          BBQ on those little buggars?

          1
          Reply
        • TrumboRedux

          2 years ago

          I can put BBQ sauce on just about everything…Speaking of little buggars though, I had NO idea that Ausmus was the Yanks new bench coach. He obviously wants to manage again. He has never had enough fire for my liking though. Don’t you gotta have fire to make it as a Yanks coach??!

          1
          Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          2 years ago

          Not under Boone… you just need to be a buddy.

          1
          Reply
        • TrumboRedux

          2 years ago

          Hmmm I can see how that works. Boone is the managerial equivalent of Gardy haha Man I miss that guy and his bat smashing on the dugout roof! That guy was my kinda player!

          3
          Reply
  9. Crash_n_burn

    2 years ago

    He could be a 1 and done guy, or the next Alex Cabrera that left MLB and figured play in Japan for a season or 2 and wound up spending a dozen seasons there setting HR records along the way.

    Reply
  10. ArianaGrandSlam

    2 years ago

    Say hello to Gosuke Kato for me.

    Reply
  11. Old York

    2 years ago

    The analytical geeks need to apologize to baseball fans for promoting all these horrible Three True Outcome Darlings.

    1
    Reply
    • TrumboRedux

      2 years ago

      They need to apologize first for coining the phrase “Three True Outcomes.”

      5
      Reply
    • UncommonSense

      2 years ago

      He’s more of a one outcome type and that outcome is getting an out

      3
      Reply
  12. Rsox

    2 years ago

    The Franimal is going to feast on NPB pitching

    4
    Reply
    • acoss13

      2 years ago

      Probably should have gotten a deal in the KBO, as that is a little easier to hit in, but he should be okay in the NPB.

      1
      Reply
  13. towinagain

    2 years ago

    Padres couldn’t afford him?! Gees!

    2
    Reply
  14. UncommonSense

    2 years ago

    Steamed hams?

    Reply
  15. filihok

    2 years ago

    I predict a lot of homers

    2
    Reply
  16. CKinSTL

    2 years ago

    I hope Franny figures it out in Japan. He was a pretty fun player to watch when he was right.

    3
    Reply
  17. fenwayfrank

    2 years ago

    Can you say real life Pedro Serano !

    3
    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      2 years ago

      Let’s hope he leaves Jobu back in the States.

      3
      Reply
  18. Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman

    2 years ago

    Franmil will probably hit 50 homers in Japan. It always amazes me when this massively large guys don’t hit 40 every year once they reach MLB. But I guess you do have to make solid contact. Puig was another disappointment in a large guy not living up to his power potential.

    1
    Reply
  19. johnnynoitall

    2 years ago

    Surprise the White Sox didn’t sign him. They’ve been stacking that team like no other!

    Reply
  20. holecamels35

    2 years ago

    I always get him confused with Jesus Aguilar. You’d have to convince me they’re two different players.

    1
    Reply
    • Crash_n_burn

      2 years ago

      Aguilar plays for the Seibu Lions so watch the Lions vs the Fighters and you will see they different people lol

      Reply
    • disadvantage

      2 years ago

      I’ve always found Carlos Santana and Domingo Santana to be nearly inseparable, down to the last name and similar facial hair.

      Reply
  21. HankAaronDidGreenies

    2 years ago

    The hell is a ham fighter? Japanese baseball has the weirdest mascots.

    2
    Reply
    • tortillaflak

      2 years ago

      The mascot is just Fighters. Nippon Ham is the company that owns the team.

      4
      Reply
  22. CrikesAlready

    2 years ago

    With the Padres, FranRey seemed like he was a good guy. He also seemed like he was having a good time, but not improving. When the Padres needed depth, they sent him as part of a three for one package.

    I would like to think the Padres would have kept him around if they had the DH at the time. He was a fan favorite.

    Reply
    • Now Yu Know

      2 years ago

      I agree

      Reply
  23. Brew88

    2 years ago

    As a defender, he’ll lay a dozen eggs for these Nippon-Hams

    1
    Reply
  24. Monkey’s Uncle

    2 years ago

    I still like ham.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Astros To Promote Brice Matthews

    Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers

    Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help

    Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays

    Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu

    Trevor Williams To Undergo UCL Surgery

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Recent

    Mets To Designate Rico Garcia For Assignment

    J.D. Davis Signs With NPB’s Seibu Lions

    The Opener: 2025 Draft, Pitchers’ Duel, Mets

    Trade Deadline Outlook: New York Yankees

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Atlanta Braves

    Which Other Relievers Might The Orioles Shop?

    Lee Elia Passes Away

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Poll: Which Teams Should Make The Biggest Push For Jarren Duran?

    MLB Finalizes Home Run Derby Field

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version