TODAY: The Reds officially announced their deal with Ford, and MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon (via X) has the contractual details. Ford will earn $1.3MM if he makes the big league roster, and another $125K is available in bonus money. Ford can opt out of his contract on March 23 if he hasn’t been promised a spot on the Opening Day roster.
FEBRUARY 23: The Reds have agreed to a minor league deal with first baseman/designated hitter Mike Ford, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The ZS Sports client would earn $1.3MM in the big leagues and can pick up another $125K worth of incentives on the deal, which contains opt-out dates both during spring training and during the regular season.
Ford, 31, posted huge power numbers with the Mariners in 2023, slashing .228/.323/.475 with 16 homers in just 251 trips to the plate. That power was accompanied by an above-average 9.6% walk rate but also a bloated 32.3% strikeout rate. The former Yankee farmhand has long had plus power and questionable contact rates, so the 2023 season wasn’t out of the norm in that regard. However, last season also represented Ford’s longest and most productive stretch in the big leagues. He’d never reached even 200 plate appearances in a major league season prior.
The left-handed-hitting Ford hasn’t been allowed to face lefties much in his career but torched them in 24 plate appearances last year and has actually fared better against fellow southpaws in his career at large. It’s only 108 plate appearances, but he’s a .268/.343/.577 hitter versus lefties compared to .200/.303/.389 against righties (in a much larger sample of 611 plate appearances).
Cincinnati already has more infielders than infield at-bats available — so much so that Spencer Steer is being moved to left field on a full-time basis in 2024. Even still, the Reds have Jeimer Candelario, Jonathan India, Noelvi Marte, Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand in line to rotate around the infield and throughout the DH spot. Ford gives Cincinnati a left-handed depth option who can handle first or DH work in the event of injuries or some regression from any of its promising young infielders. As it stands, Candelario, Encarnacion-Strand and India are in line to see the most action at first base and DH, but a strong spring could thrust Ford into that mix — or, considering the spring opt-out date(s) in the deal, at least serve as an audition for another club seeking some lefty-hitting thump.
Could Joey Votto not fill this role?
As a guy who’s only there to get AB’s in hopes of other teams taking notice and signing him when the Reds cut him? No, i don’t believe so
Agreed. They can choose not to sign Votto again but if they were to, imagine telling he’s either going to the minors or is cut. Not a look they want to make.
Joey Votto is not going take a minor league deal and play at triple A until needed.
I don’t know – Votto could seize the opportunity to retire as a Louisville Bat.
I cant see him making the team unless hes scorching hot this spring and no one else challenges him for whatever spot. I could see Votto possibly filling the same role but would think Ford having whatever upside he has left could be a factor if they decided to play him. He had a solid bat last year, if he’s hot in spring might make it.
But he’ll be perfect if they have some injuries… Before March 23rd.
Cue ‘N’Sync’ “Tell me why” the Padres couldn’t have signed ANOTHER affordable 1b/DH veteran like Ford to a MINOR LEAGUE deal?!
The Padres do not have any 1b/dh power hitters in their system waiting to come up.
The Padres NEED VETERAN DEPTH.
Hey, you want to continue to lose 14 to 1 to the Dodgers, go right on ahead.
This is an ownership issue.
Players are passing on the Padres because ownership won’t fork out the dough.
Why do you think the Padres are able to spend like the Dodgers or Yankees? They are in a smallish mid market. They went for it for a couple of years but didn’t make it. I bet Pirate, Brewer, and Ray’s fans wish their ownership would do that.
not like they ever went out and spent big money on players.
Seems like just yesterday the Pads had the top farm system and were spending with the big boys. Such a disappointing waste
Bogarts 11/280
Musgrove 5/100
Machado 11/350
Darvish 6/108
Tatis 14/340
Cronenworth 7/80
Apparently the reason is because that would make sense.
I feel like they had two choices that made sense, tear down and reboot or double down. They did something oddly in between those options. Now watch them be hot and prove that I don’t know what I’m talking about. That said once Soto went it felt like a rebuild should have been on in my nonexpert opinion.
Exactly, except they do have cornerstone pieces to build around.
I am all for giving the kids a shot.
Yet, filling all those holes with minor leaguers and trying to convince fans you will compete for a wildcard is foolhardy.
Call it what it is, a quasi rebuild. Lower ticket prices or keep them the same and use incentives to increase attendance.
Fans see through lowering payroll and increasing ticket prices.
That becomes all about the age old…profit margin.
wait…wasn’t that the backstreet boys?
Maybe I’m just not In’sync with my 90s pop music. Guess I’m just a New Kid on the Block and can’t handle the 98° heat. Traveling the Backstreets with the Boys to figure it out haha.
New Kids on the Block were 80s man. Geez you know them you are ancient like me.
its tearin’ up my heart that you aren’t up to speed on this, but you’ve got the right stuff for sure! bye bye bye for now!
Haha yep lived it. What an era New Kids on the Block to Nirvana, a side Foo Fighters and a little Gin Blossoms haha
@larry brown’s crank nice!
@towinagain if you were a power hitter looking to flash some potential would you rather play in San Diego or Cincy?
Hitters park the Reds for sure. Teams it’s a toss up.
The Reds are young and exciting with boatloads of talent and the Padres still have a solid nucleus of talent.
Weather and accessibility it’s SD.
PCL where everyone slugs .500!!
Take the money and live where you want. Is that a hard decision?
You liked the Odor, Carpenter, Choi, Cruz veteran depth pieces that AJ brought in last year that you want him to do that all over again in 2024, right?
Some people never learn that the so called veteran depth players actually have to perform to make sense – not just be breathing and willing to come to SD.
Yeah use that first ST game as your measuring stick Tow. Proves what we already know about your evaluating and team building skills.
Absolutely I want them to bring in affordable veterans with proven track records to provide leadership.
Performance is crucial, yes, but so is vereran leadership.
When you have a team full of rookies, the results can lead to more questions than answers.
See the Ntionals as a team full of rookies and a few veterans.
Where are the Nationals projected to finish in their division?
Oh and don’t tell me the Mets and Phillies are on par with the Dodgers, maybe they are on par with the Diamondbacks.
With the talent pool diminishing daily Preller has less to choose from.
You are then left with overpaying out of desperation for replacement level talent to fill out the roster.
You then make trades like a Kluber for Ludwick.
So hang on to the kids. Play them from day 1. Call this a developmental year. Lower ticket prices and abandon all talk of competing for a wild card.
This team, as it is constructed, will finish fourth place in the division.
This team lacks a :
LF
CF
1B
DH
1 or 2 starters
.
The Orioles make that statement pointless.
But…how long did it take them to develop that talent?
With only 3 genuine OFs on the 40-man and one converted SS it seems like they should be inviting like 4 or 5 scrubs to ST just to get some warm bodies in the OF. I can’t believe this is still an unfilled need 2 weeks into camp.
Marsee and Azocar and Merrill all hit well today and defense won’t be a problem for them.
Merrill won’t stay in OF but 1 year if Kim isn’t extended – which I’m calling doubtful if it is t done in the next couple of weeks.
Scrubs won’t be expected to produce but theh would just take AB’s away from the kids so, no scrubs please.
No Votto couldn’t…..he’s done
From the statement they made when it was announced they wouldn’t be signing Votto. I think this role was offered to him and declined it. He still thinks he’s an everyday player
Reminds me of the Reds in 2022 when they were basically letting any player who showed up to their training camp have a minor league deal
The old saying is there is never a bad minor league deal. Every year a winning team has someone that is just a role player step up big.
If I was a team I would do many minor league deals and watch the waiver wires for players.
Wow, I had no idea he raked to an 122 ops+ last season. Good for him!
Ford has power but he is one dimensional. No defense and no speed. Limited discipline. Reminds me of Rob Deer. I bet Ford would hit 35 dingers with 600 plate appearances but the rest of his game would be a car crash.
I dont know about the no speed. I once saw him smoke Vogelbach in a 40
I think I saw a slow mo video of that …
I think Adam Dunn is a better comparison. Ford definitely walks more than most. True 3 outcome player.
Adam Dunn provided a decent average until the end. And he walked more.
So what is your point. This guy is in reality a below average,part time player. The reds are a non-contender mid market team making small moves. Who cares.
This isn’t Joey Votto.
Dude could easily hit home runs in Cincy just by sticking the bat out.
Good lefty bench bat and give CES a day off
Remember when the front office said they didn’t have enough at bats for Votto and signed Candelario some time later?
They could have saved the Candelario money and signed this guy to fill a non-hole instead.
More evidence dude knows nothing about building a complete team.
Neither Mike Ford or Joey Votto can play 3rd base. Neither is a switch hitter.. You’re comparing apples and oranges. Besides when the “front office ” said they didn’t have enough AB for Votto- they didn’t mean a LHH 1stbase/DH, they meant a player of Joey Votto’s stature. BTW, if you’re saying that Krall is the dude in “More evidence dude knows nothing about building a complete team” #1. It’s not evidence. period. #2. he definitely knows something, yet to be detirmined if he knows enough to build a complete team (within the constraints of a small market atmosphere).
Marte, EDLC, India and CES can all play third base. Steer, CES, Martini and Stephenson could play first besides Votto. Now they added Harrison and Kemp, who can play third, and Ford who plays first as well.
They needed Candelario like a hole in the head and it was a waste of money they should have used toward the ace they so obviously needed.
They will miss the playoffs for the same reason as last year. Anyone who thinks a move at the end of July, a) will be made and/or b) will matter at that point is foolish.
Everyone can see it other than a couple of you that worship at the altar. Even the writers on this site see it.
I worship at no altar. Nevertheless, I anticipate the most exciting season of Reds + Reds MILB in many, many years. I don’t get your fandome- to me exciting entertainment is the point. Not being the ACE critic of the organization.
Harrison, Kemp, and Ford are all minor league deals. They are meaningless except to replace at AAA all of the talent that was promoted to MLB in ‘23.
Candelario may very well be the best hitter on this team in ‘24 despite your dead horse beating. McLain is already hurt again so it’s 5 players for 5 positions at the moment. If he’s out for any length of time (like last year) or we have another infielder’s extended injury or slump, we’re gonna be very happy that we have JC in the lineup.
You have no idea, nor do any of us fans, as to how the starting rotation is going to shake out. Acquiring an ace would come at double the AAV of Candelario’s contract for an established vet. And that is if a free agent Ace would even be interested in coming to GABP. If a trade was needed to secure such an acquisition, you’re trading away the future before you even know what you have in your rotation.
The best way for a small market team to build a rotation is through the draft or via a complete rebuild like the one the Reds just went through. The Reds go eight or nine deep with their rotation right now. Let the youngsters play.
What Ace is going to sign in Cincy? When was the last time one did?
A more important question is, when was the last time they actually tried?
They might have eight or nine guys on the roster. Deep? We saw what that got them last season as they brought up guys not ready and dumpster dive darlings when they had division battles with their main rival who they lost three series to when it counted. All because they had a front office who sat on his hands and didn’t support a group of hard fighting kids when they needed it. They will remember that when the time comes.
They couldn’t even come up with three guys right now who pitched deep into September injury free all season out of all the potential starters you mentioned.
Meanwhile another year of the window for this round for the small market team is wasted.
You speak of the money it would take but they are still 30 million short of their max payroll and that is with the 15 million they wasted on Candelario.
We saw the same old story with the last two groups that they broke up. You think it will not happen again?
Fans should expect more than mediocrity, especially if their hard earned money is supporting this team.
Buffalo Bob and Howdy Doody are laughing at a lot of your naivete for falling for the same old shtick.
Its the reality of this organization. They simply do not know what they are doing. No philosophy, signing guys just to sign them and not addressing the obvious weaknesses. Still no top of the line starter, no corner outfielder and a manager who thinks every player is a utility player. Im not a negative person and I can see how bad this organization is ran. No track record of success at any level of management. Your GM, Manager and front office have all lost way mire games than they have won and all have long term contracts. Did i provide clarity for ya?
You’d have a point if they had the same starters as last year. But they don’t.
They didn’t have Abbott, Williamson, Montas, Phillips, or Martinez on the 2023 opening day roster. That’s five quality pitchers or pitching prospects that were added to the big three of Greene , Ashcraft, and Lodolo. Signing Frankie Montas could hardly be considered dumpster diving. Nor would the signing of Nick Martinez be seen as dumpster diving. This is a much better rotation than what they started with last year. And Rhett Lowder, the Reds #2 prospect may not be far away from competing for a spot as well.
Adding yet another pitcher to that mix is insane. When Doc Gooden, Ron Darling, and Sid Fernandez came up to MLB in the 1984 season, the Mets didn’t go out and acquire an ace or two. They pitched the youngsters. They added a 23 year-old Rick Aguilera from the minors in 1985. Once they knew what they had with the youngsters, they went out and acquired one veteran pitcher in Bob Ojeda before the 1986 World Series Championship season. 90 wins in ‘84 became 98 wins in ‘85, and 108 in 1986.
That is how to build a quality rotation. The kids need innings to progress and show what they’re capable of.
Speaking of kids, the infield is full of them. Marte,EDLC, McLain, and CES will be playing the lions share of the games. Candelario provides a quality veteran corner infield presence and switch hitting bat. India does not give you a legit corner infield or DH option. CES hasn’t proven his glove belongs on the field (nor has India for that matter). This lineup is SO MUCH BETTER with Candelario in it. He let the league in doubles in 2021 with 42 and had another 39 in 2023.
The lineup the last few years had multiple black holes. The 2024 lineup looks much more solid.
I don’t know what you’re talking about re the same old schtick. The future looks so bright, I gotta wear shades.
Wow !!!!
Candelario has already proved his glove doesn’t belong on the field. He is a DH waiting to happen and Bell rotates guys through there. You’re saying they need to take Marte or EDLC or Steer or McLain’s glove off the field for an error prone guy you are wasting money on?
Those pitchers of the Mets you mentioned are a far better quality than any of these guys have shown. Greene and Lodolo are lucky to pitch 3-4 innings and still have no idea HOW to pitch entering their third season because of no veteran presence for two years. You don’t go with all kids, you have both youth and experience on a successful roster. The 1990 team was a good example.
When Votto was hurt, India was the most experienced in his second year.
A year ago, I imparted knowledge on you all during the offseason and during the season and you called me crazy.
The front office did nothing last offseason when the Central was winnable.
The front office did nothing when they had nine games against the Brewers and could put it away.
They did nothing at the trade deadline when they had their last chance.
They did not address their biggest need this offseason.
Of course, they faded down the stretch because of those things and as usual, the usual excuses were made and people bought it.
Another year of this window is about to be wasted due to the same kind of malarkey and you all will buy the same excuses again.
If you don’t know what I mean by the same old shtick, you haven’t been following this team for long, or you haven’t been paying attention.
I understand the word shtick, and I’m not buying yours. They say opinions are like butt holes: everyone has got one. You’re so full of yourself that you write the following:
“A year ago, I imparted knowledge on you all during the offseason and during the season and you called me crazy”.
You imparted knowledge on us all? That’s too rich.
You say that “the front office did nothing last offseason when the Central was winnable”.
The Reds were coming off of a 100 loss season, but you had the 20/20 (hindsight) vision to know that the division was winnable last offseason. Ok, sure. Many Reds fans were predicting another 100 loss season. I predicted a 75 win season, but I’m an optimist.
By the trade deadline the Reds had lost 2 of their big 3 pitchers. Nick Lodolo was done for the season on 5/6. Hunter Greene was gone on 6/17 and wouldn’t return until 8/20. Graham Ashcraft was pitching with a couple of bum toes in August before being shut down on 9/1. That left Ben Lively and Luke Weaver and two rookies that were called up in May and June in Williamson and Abbott.
By the trading deadline India’s plantar fascitis had sidelined him (not to return till 9/10). EDLC started slumping in early July. CES wouldn’t arrive until 7/17 and wouldn’t get hot until September. Marte wouldn’t arrive until 8/19 and also got hot in September. One of the best hitters for the Reds last year, Matt McLain, arrived 5/15 and was done for the year on 8/27.
Meanwhile, the rookie sensation Andrew Abbott hit the wall and had a rough August and September. Other teams were asking an arm and a leg for starting pitching and many of the prized acquisitions did poorly for their new teams. The Reds got into the playoffs in 2020 as a wild card and didn’t score a run in losing their only 2 games. Was it the smart play to push their chips to the middle of the table at 8/1 or was it wiser to build for the future? None of us could know for sure.
Candelario is a roughly league average fielder at the corners as per the top 50 FA write up here at MLBTR. Steer is a poor defender and had already been moved to LF last year. CES has never been known to be a good defender. Marte had a rough start at 3B but has improved. By all accounts, EDLC will be the starting shortstop and McLain will be the starting second baseman. There are 3 spots between 1B, 3B, and DH and it will sort itself out between Candelario, Marte, and CES.
My attention span is just fine and I’ve been following this team just as long as you have. Keep that knowledge flowing down to us mere mortals. We learn at your feet.
@earmbrister I’ve recently incurred some legal issues and am wondering if you’d be available to represent me through trial
$15MM got the Reds Candelario, from the position players side. From the pitching side, $14MM got the Cardinals Lynn. You weren’t getting an ace for $15MM. Maybe a 4-5. Maybe Lorenzen.
You really ought to read more closely.
For 15M plus the 30M they are under the average payroll a few years ago, they could get the best one. They could still get a good one, but they won’t.
I don’t know how trade discussions went at the deadline last year and you don’t either. Maybe there wasn’t a deal to be had to improve the team for the playoff push or more importantly the longer term outlook. We have a window in the next five years we don’t always have in Cincy. I don’t want a GM who panics and makes trades out of desperation. He’s done well so far so give the man a little leeway.
Lifetime .243 hitter w career numbers similar to kyle farmer.
I just cannot fathom having this much faith in this organization. This isnt made up or simply “being negative”. The results speak volumes. The way they quietly traded everything of value away on 2021. No explanation given to fans. The whole “where else ya gonna go?” He never apologized to the fans because he meant it. They were primed to win it last year but you seen what happened at the break. “They didnt trade the farm away” most say… Joe Boyle could be the best young starter we had and traded him for a lefty relief specialist at the break. It goes on and on.
You traded Gray and Castillo (2 of the best pitchers the Reds have had in 20 years) for what? Did even a SINGLE cant miss prospect come from that? Who? One already returned to Seattle and lamented the Reds lack of pitching philosophy. Nick Kralls legacy is giving David Bell THREE contracts with a losing record. I get it, some Reds fans have to be positive or theyd go crazy, I am one.
But lets call it what it is. If you gave a legit GM the Reds roster in 2020 and rebuilt it, itd be much better. If you disagree i simply point to the track record of Nick Krall and the Castillini family. Look at wins and losses, same with David Bell. He was a losing manager in the minors too. He is a yes man.
Could be another good power source for the Reds, although he does fan about one in every three trips to the plate.
So apparently me calling Trevor ( I like my women with natural black eyes) Bauer a sadistic psychopath in response to a guy named OWEN!!! Touting him for the Red Sox rotation. Gets my comment booted by a Moderator?? Outrageous!!!
What does this have to do with drdback’s post?
Hey Buddha: “Ohhhhmmmmmmmmm” Try meditation.
There’s a chance both of todays signings (Kemp, Ford) are little more than accomodations with these players agents. Better than having your clients out in the cold during ST. Smart move by both sides.
You know what Ford stands for? Fix it again tony.
Mike Ford on the move again. He’s a very determined player to finally succeed somewhere
That’s A Fiat Dale
I thought Fiat bought Chrysler? Ford stands for Never took bailout money in 2008 so stick it!!
@Rob Schu You are negative everywhere you go
Can’t wait to see people overreact to a MiLB deal
Time is a flat circle
won’t have to wait too long… in case no one pays attention… It’s a minor league deal!… just in case there is a rash of injuries, a trade happens, AAA needs a player… It’s a minor league deal… 🙂
Killer Mike hits fastballs very very far
F O R E V E R G I A N T
Legendary Durham Bull, can’t say the same as pinch hitter in the playoffs tho.
Did not put the ball in play enough with my Mariners last year but there were two different periods where he got on a roll and can seriously hit the ball out of the park. Has a really decent eye at the plate as well. No mobility what so ever.
Watching him on the base paths is incredible. That man is a professional athlete
Your Mariners? Ugh that’s exactly what is wrong with sports today.
Wow. Strong words. What an odd thing to pick at.
@Rob Schu . It is just my way of saying that is the team that I support and root for. Do I need to explain this? Go be negative somewhere else. You must have something better you can be critical of other people about or just be kind to people..
Great pitcher too. If I owned a baseball team he’d be on my roster!
Wishing former Mariner, Mike Ford, all the best in the next chapter
We need one more major league deal. JD Martinez. He play for 10 million last year. 33 HR and over 100 RBI last season. He is like Nelson Cruz. Age is not that big of a factor. We need veteran leadership.
That is a good call! He would be a difference maker for that team this season in so many ways.
A real pro 4all the young players to see n learn from. Can’t argue w/that production, offer em 2yrs w/opt out after 1st yr.
They should have signed greg bird
That was not going to fly.
I really wish we could take the Tyler Mahle trade back. We got nothing out of him at all and it looks like Spencer Steer and CES are going to both be legit hitters…not that we have the roster spots for them, but could’ve traded them for Cease or somebody…
Mike Ford, Nick Johnson, Greg Bird. All famed as Giambi 2.0, but really more juiceless Jeremy than big bro.
Knowing this probably will elicit responses regarding PEDs, if any of those guys had anything close to Jason Giambi’s career, Yankees fans would have been thrilled.
Now that the Reds have signed FORD
Their next move is to sign…..
CHEVROLET !!
Kemp, Ford, Harrison, I mean being that I’m a Reds fan some of these guys can help…
I don’t hate the depth pieces around the young core.