The San Diego Padres completed a trade with the New York Yankees on Friday, sending minor league pitcher Justin Lange to the Bronx in exchange for first baseman/designated hitter Luke Voit.
Voit is more of a DH at this point, as he never showed he could be an average first baseman defensively, but if healthy, he could be a comfortably above-average hitter for the Friars.
The Athletic’s Dennis Lin, who covers the Padres, explained how the husky first baseman fits in on his new club.
“Bob Melvin said Luke Voit is expected to DH and play some first base against left-handers. He added he already spoke with Eric Hosmer and that Hosmer is “all in,” Lin tweeted.
Bob Melvin said Luke Voit is expected to DH and play some first base against left-handers. He added he already spoke with Eric Hosmer and that Hosmer is “all in.”
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) March 18, 2022
Melvin is the Padres’ manager, and Hosmer, the current man in charge of manning the cold corner, is apparently on board with Voit’s arrival.
Voit Will Do Some Of The Job That Hosmer Has Failed To Do: Produce Offensively
The Padres, however, are bringing in Voit because Hosmer is a lousy first baseman, both offensively and defensively.
In 2021, Hosmer, who signed a mammoth eight-year, $144 million contract before the 2018 campaign, hit just .269/.337/.395.
He played 151 games and had a 0.0 WAR (Wins Above Replacement): yes, he was that bad.
The Padres were rumored to be in on Freddie Freeman before he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and have been trying to trade Hosmer desperately since last year.
There have been no takers to this point, not even with the Padres willing to include valuable prospects attached in any deal.
In the meantime, Voit, a career .867-OPS hitter, would be a sizable upgrade offensively if the Padres decided to have him replace Hosmer at first base.
That’s not the plan as of now, and the two men will apparently have their fair share of at-bats.
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