Former big leaguer Franmil Reyes has re-signed with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball, according to reports out of Japan (hat tip to Yakyu Cosmopolitan). Reyes’ agent has posted on X that it’s a one-year contract, so he will be a free agent after the 2026 season.
It is easy to see why the Fighters wanted to lock Reyes up, as he has provided some big pop over his two NPB seasons. Reyes has hit .282/.347/.535 with 57 home runs over 899 plate appearances with the Kitahiroshima-based club, helping carry the Fighters to second-place finishes in the Pacific League in each of the last two seasons. The Fighters’ 240 home runs over the last two seasons is the most of any NPB team, with Reyes’ power bat leading the way.
This slugging ability was evident over most of Reyes’ six Major League seasons, as he posted 108 big flies and a .264/.310/.464 slash line over 2078 PA with the Padres, Guardians, Cubs, and Royals from 2018-23. Unfortunately for Reyes, his production suddenly cratered in 2022, leading Cleveland to option him to Triple-A and then designate him for assignment that summer. Subsequent stints with the Cubs, Royals, and (on a minor league contract) Nationals didn’t see Reyes regain his stroke, so he opted to head overseas following the 2023 season.
MLBTR’s post initially indicated that Reyes signed a multi-year contract. We apologize for the error.
Joining the fight with the ham!
The Franimal is losing the battle!
🤪🍻
Franimal is fist-fighting hams in Japan!
Double fisted! 🤪
The only way Franimal can get back to beast mode is by coming home to San Diego. Bring back Franimal! /s
I was really hoping to see him come back to the MLB. He really produced over there and I think he could have been a very solid bat again like he was at the beginning of his career.
Glad to see the big guy is doing so well over there.
Realistically speaking, if judge or shwarber or peak ohtani signed there how many homers in 162 whould these dudes hit in the NBP. What would an era of a skubal or snell look like?
Hmmm…I’d guess 80 or so if you put Judge or Ohtani there now. Who knows though.
Good for Reyes. Why turn down guaranteed money and a roster spot in Japan and have to fight for a spot here
@Rsox not to mention the food, better quality of life, and no crime….
Just curious as to how much he will be paid.
Good for him! He seemed like a genuinely nice guy when he played for Cleveland.
I know Nippon Ham is the team sponsor, but the image of Samurai’s bludgeoning each other with large rounds of pork is so compelling it should be considered by their promotional team.
Money talks in almost every situation.Certainty over uncertainty.
He couldn’t put up those numbers in AAA so good for him for acknowledging his limitations and making the best of it. Maybe he gets posted!
He’s an international free agent, he’s not eligible for posting
He may be making over 3 million a year that’s equal to 7 million in USA after taxes plus bonuses for every win with the year he is having maybe he don’t need to touch he’s paycheck
I’m happy to see the Franimal finding success