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Mike Ford Signs With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars

By Leo Morgenstern | July 5, 2024 at 12:03am CDT

Mike Ford has signed with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, the team has announced. Ford was designated for assignment by the Reds earlier this season. He elected free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment to the minor leagues.

Ford, 32, signed with the Yankees as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Six years later, he made his MLB debut for the Bronx Bombers. A first baseman and designated hitter, the lefty batter made quite the impression in his rookie season, slugging 12 home runs in 50 games and putting up a .909 OPS. The following year, at 28 years old, he made his very first Opening Day roster.

Unfortunately for Ford, he struggled to replicate that early success over the rest of his tenure in pinstripes. He slashed .134/.250/.276 across 51 games in 2020 and ’21, and the Yankees designated him for assignment in June 2021. He then bounced between the Rays, Nationals, Mariners, Giants, Mariners (again), Braves, and Angels organizations before landing back with the Mariners for a third time ahead of the 2023 campaign. Four years after his breakout, Ford would put together the best season of his career. He forced his way to the majors with 13 home runs and a 1.031 OPS in 49 games at Triple-A, then hit another 16 home runs with a .798 OPS in 84 games for Seattle from June to October.

Despite his strong performance in 2023, the Mariners designated Ford for assignment at the end of the season. He signed a minor league deal with the Reds this past February, opted out in March, re-signed a week later, and then opted out again in early May. This time, he re-signed on a major league deal, but after going 9-for-60 with a .411 OPS in 17 games, he was designated for assignment at the end of the month. Before signing with the BayStars, he had been a free agent since May 31.

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Nippon Professional Baseball Transactions Mike Ford

AL West Notes: Tucker, Verlander, Bloss, Woo, Jung
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The Opener: NL Powers Clash, Red Sox/Yankees, Baz
View Comments (32)
Post a Comment

32 Comments

  1. Yeti

    1 year ago

    We get Ohtani & they get the Babe Ruth cover act

    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      Nice to see a Ford get exported!

      7
      Reply
      • SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs

        1 year ago

        You know what Ford stands for? Fix it again Tony

        3
        Reply
        • Compo

          1 year ago

          damn i miss that show

          2
          Reply
        • Chooch Ruiz

          1 year ago

          good one, Dale

          1
          Reply
        • Buzzz Killington

          1 year ago

          That’s fiat dale.

          3
          Reply
        • Flanster

          1 year ago

          That spells FIAT

          1
          Reply
        • Dogleg62

          1 year ago

          I think you meant…Fix Or Repair Daily 😉

          3
          Reply
        • ChrisMonte

          1 year ago

          Found on road dead
          Driver returned on foot
          Fudged over rebuilt Dodge

          1
          Reply
        • RShore05

          1 year ago

          I thought FORD stood for Fat Old Rubber D!¢k?!!

          Reply
  2. AshamedMethGoat

    1 year ago

    Next stop, HOF!!

    Reply
    • Fever Pitch Guy

      1 year ago

      Meth – I don’t think so, it’s not in his DeNA.

      2
      Reply
  3. ArianaGrandSlam

    1 year ago

    l predicted this a month ago saying he would have to change his last name to Honda or something.

    1
    Reply
    • mlbnyyfan

      1 year ago

      Mike Ford starring in the reboot of Mr Baseball.

      1
      Reply
      • its_happening

        1 year ago

        Did he lead the league in 9th inning doubles in the month of August?

        Reply
  4. Buzzz Killington

    1 year ago

    Really thought the KIA Tigers of Korea would pick him up.

    3
    Reply
    • SODOMOJO

      1 year ago

      I’m glad he’s over there. They will appreciate his bashing talent. Hope he hits a ton of home runs and makes himself some money

      3
      Reply
      • Buzzz Killington

        1 year ago

        I think a 32 year old Ford will impress them.

        1
        Reply
    • Stallionduck

      1 year ago

      Maybe a month ago, but I’d say it’s more likely David McKinnon will get released by the Samsung Lions since he has a .294 .381 .386 slash line due to just four homers in 315 plate appearances

      1
      Reply
    • tonyinsingapore

      1 year ago

      Could have signed with Hiroshima and played home games in Mazda “Zoom Zoom” Stadium…

      1
      Reply
  5. whyhayzee

    1 year ago

    Ah, the lefty Bobby Dalbec. Sigh.

    Reply
  6. LordD99

    1 year ago

    A non-drafted college senior. Never considered a prospect. Have to root for players like Ford. He’s exceeded expectations by appearing in parts of six major league seasons, and now he heads off to the second highest pro baseball league in the world.

    7
    Reply
    • PocketSand

      1 year ago

      I don’t think he was a senior. He was 20 and only attended Princeton from 2011-2013. I think he just signed after the draft. But agree on the good story. He should have went abroad years ago.

      4
      Reply
      • lesterdnightfly

        1 year ago

        At Princeton, they teach “should have gone”.

        1
        Reply
        • PocketSand

          1 year ago

          Some people aren’t native speakers. Suck my butt

          3
          Reply
  7. Old York

    1 year ago

    Going to the NPB is like going back in time to the dead ball era.

    Central League: .235 / .297/ .327
    Pacific League: .241 / .304 / .339

    1
    Reply
    • Monkey’s Uncle

      1 year ago

      Are those numbers with or without the exchange rate? 😉

      2
      Reply
      • Old York

        1 year ago

        Not sure if BR does the conversion or not.

        Reply
  8. sad tormented neglected mariners fan

    1 year ago

    Ford should’ve gone back to Seattle he could have platooned with graver at DH and platooned with France at first when raley is in the outfield

    I should say Jerry should’ve given him another chance

    Reply
  9. kiwimlbfan

    1 year ago

    Good for him. He’ll enjoy playing there. DeNA are neck and neck for the Central league title at the moment. The fans are so fanatic, it’s a great atmosphere.

    1
    Reply
    • leftyr32

      1 year ago

      Q

      Reply
  10. Jacksson13

    1 year ago

    Reportedly, NPB is also trying to sign:
    Lincoln
    Chevrolet
    Buick
    Cadillac
    Chrysler
    Dodge
    Ram
    Jeep
    Failing in those efforts, they will go after:
    Pontiac
    Oldsmobile
    Saturn
    Mercury
    Edsel
    Plymouth
    Desoto
    Studebaker
    Packard
    Hudson
    Nash
    Kaiser

    Reply

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