What to Know About New Twins First Base Contender Mike Ford

[Nick Nelson]

In the context of this dreadfully uneventful offseason, Minnesota's signing of the 32-year-old journeyman to a minor-league contract qualifies as newsworthy. 

Image courtesy of Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

On Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that the Minnesota Twins have signed 1B/DH Mike Ford to a minor-league contract, which includes an invite to spring training. While this could hardly be considered a big splash, it's a significant move for the Twins given their clear need at first, their lack of resources for additions, and Ford's fairly extensive track record as a big-leaguer. 

Ford is going to be a contender for a roster spot and maybe even a part-time starting role. So let's get familiar.

 

Mike Ford's Baseball Background
Ford's baseball journey is a fascinating mix of perseverance, adaptability, and flashes of power that could make him an intriguing option for the Twins as they face uncertainty at first base and limited avenues for talent acquisition.

An undrafted free agent out of Princeton University in 2012, the New Jersey native carved out a professional career through sheer determination, debuting with the Yankees in 2019. Known for his ability to work deep counts and his surprising pop, Ford’s early MLB tenure showed promise, including a .909 OPS and 12 home runs in his rookie season. However, he’s since been a journeyman, suiting up for seven MLB teams, a stint in Japan’s NPB, and a wealth of minor league affiliates. While he was obviously not in high demand this offseason, his 2023 resurgence with Seattle — hitting 16 homers with a .798 OPS over 83 games — suggests Ford could still have value as a left-handed power bat.

 

Ford's Fit in Minnesota
For the Twins, Ford represents a potential low-cost option with upside. Minnesota's first base situation is murky, with José Miranda, Edouard Julien and Mickey Gasper currently lined up as the top options. The free-agent market has been picked over and the front office has minimal budget space to work with anyway.

Interestingly, the lefty-swinging Ford has a pretty extreme reverse platoon split in his MLB career, with a .674 OPS in 655 PA against righties and a .831 OPS in 126 PA against southpaws. That's a small sample and spread across a bunch of different stints, so it's not necessarily too meaningful, but it's worth pointing out. 

If we assume those splits will straighten out a bit, Ford could be viewed as as a solid part-time platoon partner at first alongside Miranda, at least until Julien earns his way back, though Miranda too has performed better against same-sided pitchers in a relatively small MLB sample. 

 

Ford's defensive metrics are pedestrian and he's about as slow as they come, so his bat would be the main draw. And there is some intrigue in his offensive profile. While prone to strikeouts, he is a fairly disciplined hitter and he's got a big pull-side power, which we know the Twins love. Glancing at his Statcast sliders and spray chart from 2023, we see a guy who was successful at avoiding chases, squared up when he made contact, and yanked a bunch of balls into the right field bleachers.

His minor-league deal means the Twins didn't need to commit a 40-man roster spot to Ford, and he's far from being guaranteed anything, but the well-traveled 32-year-old instantly becomes one to watch in the first base competition. 

It's possible the Twins could still sign someone like Justin Turner (if they find payroll space) or make a trade, but increasingly it appears they are going to carry a collection of low-profile stopgap options into camp — such as Ford and Gasper — with an eye on letting them take over temporarily in the event that Miranda and Julien prove unready. 

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[nicksaviking]

Ugh, you're the worst Thumper, fine!

A MiLB deal sounds OK to me.

[mnfireman]

After looking at his Baseball Reference & FanGraphs pages - OUCH. 

Unfortunately he will probably be given a chance because Miranda hits RH and Julien doesn't hit. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

Have to imagine Trevor Amicone had some info to share on why he is worth going after with his time with the Yankees. Never a bad minor league signing. We'll see if he makes up it from St. Paul.

[CRF]

Desperate times call for desperate measures. 

[1985Fan]

Typical FO move to bring in a has-been player hoping they hit the jackpot. If the FO wants a LH 1B with power, why not give Larnach or Wallner a shot at 1B? This is not a terrible deal since it’s a MiLB signing, unless he makes the MLB team and they let him play too long before pulling the plug. I’m not sure why Severino is not given a chance either. If he’s so terrible, they need to release him so he can sign with a different organization. 

[wavedog]

Ford, would rather have a Chevy :-) .   No harm in taking a shot especially on a minor league deal but not expecting anything from this signing.   If he was good defensively I would like it a more.   His 2023 numbers with Seattle were OK but he is also getting up in age (for a baseball player).   Again we need to get better defensively and with speed and this signing does neither.  

[jmlease1]

I don't mind these kinds of minor-league deals in order to raise the floor/provide emergency backups/etc. Where I get cranky is when they'd rather give AB after AB to a poor performing "veteran" rather than give a younger player with far more upside the chance and a long leash to get through the bumps. We'll see where this lands.

I don't think he solves the problem and I'd definitely start Miranda and probably Julien over him (unless Julien shows up to spring training still paralyzed or flailing at the plate), but I'd have no problem with him as a backup if he looks very strong in spring training or as veteran AAA depth.

I'm fine with taking flyers like this so long as they know when to cut bait. And I don't want a 32 year old journeyman with limited upside blocking a player like miranda (who still has real upside) because the vet needs less hand-holding or whatever. Unsure of the team's judgment on handling those marginal veteran players.

[LewFordLives]

If he makes the opening day roster it's going to be a long season.

[MMMordabito]

[sweetmusicviola16]

You do these moves in hopes of getting Willi Castro II. Except for Ford isn't Castro. He's 5 years older, 7 years in comparison to when Castro was signed and Ford has zero versatility.  No I agree there is no bad milb signing, until these guys make the team and stink and further hinder the development of in house candidates.

To sum up the state of the Twins, we have no money to make moves and nobody wants the players we want to move.

[Russ]

Another lefthanded bat that is not that good.  

[rv78]

Falvey continues to add to his Minor League roster. When will the Twins get a GM for their Major League roster?

[Cory Engelhardt]

41 minutes ago, wavedog said:

Ford, would rather have a Chevy :-) .   No harm in taking a shot especially on a minor league deal but not expecting anything from this signing.   If he was good defensively I would like it a more.   His 2023 numbers with Seattle were OK but he is also getting up in age (for a baseball player).   Again we need to get better defensively and with speed and this signing does neither.  

I appreciate more and more as I get older when people point out that an athlete is old just relative to the sport they play :)

[farmerguychris]

14 minutes ago, rv78 said:

Falvey continues to add to his Minor League roster. When will the Twins get a GM for their Major League roster?

I assume as soon as the owners recognize they need to spend a Major League level of payroll?

[Teflon]

I would rather the Twins convert Trevor Larnach to 1B to platoon with Miranda and find a LFer with more range so it's Buxton flanked by only 1 slow guy instead of 2.

 

[Wizard11]

Hmmm….It looks like Minor league signing of a 32 year old journeyman hitter.  I don’t recall Falvey and Co. ever handing an opening day roster spot to such a player (emphasis minor league signing).  I am curious if the Dark Trolls Of Twins Daily (DTOTD) will ever be sated by the endless Kvetching about Falvey and Baldelli?  I suspect Nick could write a reverse article saying how the Twins did not sign a 32 year old minor leaguer today and the DTOTD would be out baying about the terrible FO and manager doing nothing.

I have my own wild speculation.  I think that Falvey and Baldelli are probably smart people who care about the Twins and strongly desire the team to be really good.  I know that probably sounds crazy but it could be true.

[Blyleven2011]

1 hour ago, 1985Fan said:

Typical FO move to bring in a has-been player hoping they hit the jackpot. If the FO wants a LH 1B with power, why not give Larnach or Wallner a shot at 1B? This is not a terrible deal since it’s a MiLB signing, unless he makes the MLB team and they let him play too long before pulling the plug. I’m not sure why Severino is not given a chance either. If he’s so terrible, they need to release him so he can sign with a different organization. 

That just makes to much sense to have wallner or Larnach as a first basemen  ...

[Irishman]

37 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

I assume as soon as the owners recognize they need to spend a Major League level of payroll?

No, Pohlad family won't spend a penny.    

Mike Ford is not that impressed,    Another joke signing!   YAWN!!!!!!

[AceWrigley]

I find it interesting that the most similar hitter listed over at BBref is Greg Byrd, the guy Mike Ford was competing with for 1B reps with the Yankees.

I have to admit I don't understand the budget freeze if you're going to sell the team. What difference does a few million make when you stand to sell the team for over $1 Billion?

[old nurse]

The Ford signing means they do ot like the potential of any of the 1b/dh that could hit well in AAA. Why Severinio and Williams would want to stay in the organization is a bit baffling. They aren’t even giving them a chance 

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, farmerguychris said:

I assume as soon as the owners recognize they need to spend a Major League level of payroll?

Of course you know that the Twins are well above their AL Central brethren as well as Milwaukee when it comes to payroll spending. The Twins are in the middle of MLB in payroll.

Not everything is about money. All teams are restricted by money. Pity the poor Dodgers signing a new free agent and paying double due to the CBT penalties.

Mike Ford is a good addition for St. Paul. A pile of injuries could see him play at Target Field.

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, Teflon said:

I would rather the Twins convert Trevor Larnach to 1B to platoon with Miranda and find a LFer with more range so it's Buxton flanked by only 1 slow guy instead of 2.

 

Wallner isn’t slow. His sprint speed last year was greater than Kepler. Both Larnach and Wallner are satisfactory defenders, but without great range. If they hit like last year, their defensive flaws won’t stand out. 

[gmwannabe]

Mountcastle & Basallo for Lopez. 15 million savings, first base and catcher solved. 2 everyday players for 1 who plays every 5 days. Don't ask me who pitches game 1 if we make the playoffs!

[IndyTwinsFan]

Oh, be still my beating heart!

[bean5302]

No idea with this one. How is Mike Ford better than Yunior Severino? I just don't understand the appeal of this one at all, even on a MiLB contract. After Ford was cut by the Reds in May of last year he had to settle for a contract with the Yokohama Bay Stars, and he couldn't even stay on their top level club.

First, Ford spent most of his season in the Eastern League (which is basically MiLB for Japan). In Japanese MiLB play, Ford started off at the top level Bay Stars in the Central League where he put together a short and dreadful .200/.273/.350 OPS .623 performance. After that, he was demoted to the Eastern League where he was still very weak (ranked 9th on the team for players with 100+ PA) with a .211/.281/.429 OPS .709 output.

Why was this signing made? Even as MiLB depth, there have to be better options out there.

[sweetmusicviola16]

Mike is all Falvey Zoll can a Ford. He's no Disco Danny. Mike is really slooooow.

[ashbury]

5 hours ago, Nick Nelson said:

In the context of this dreadfully uneventful offseason, Minnesota's signing of the 32-year-old journeyman to a minor-league contract qualifies as newsworthy.

No.   Regardless of context, it still does not.

[Fatbat]

Well at least they did not run back Joey Gallo.  They bought a cheap insurance policy for thee Gasper🤣

[Althebum82]

Why Severinio and Williams would want to stay in the organization is a bit baffling. They aren’t even giving them a chance.

Not sure if Williams wanted to stay, but the fact is that he has actually moved on to the Mets after signing a minor league free agent deal with them last month.