The trade market is sizzling now as the offseason continues.
After having re-signed Anthony Rizzo, the New York Yankees have chosen to move on from first baseman Luke Voit.
This morning, New York agreed to trade Voit to the San Diego Padres.
In exchange, the Padres have sent pitching prospect Justin Lange back to the Yankees.
Voit became a loose end following the Yankees move to re-sign Rizzo on Tuesday and many expected that a trade would soon follow.
Today, that trade has come to fruition.
With Eric Hosmer already playing first base for the Padres, Voit figures to be the one to take over designated hitter duties now that the universal DH has been added.
Breaking: Luke Voit traded to Padres
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 18, 2022
How Voit Helps The Padres
Voit came to the Yankees in the trade that sent relievers Chasen Shreve and Giovanny Gallegos to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Voit’s 2021 season was marred by injuries as he hit just .239 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI’s
Though 2021 was a down year for the slugger, Voit had back-to-back 20-plus home run seasons in 2019 and 2020, leading the league in homers in 2020 and putting himself in the conversation for AL MVP.
The addition of Voit gives the Padres an extra bat to boost their lineup, which could be especially beneficial to them now that Fernando Tatis Jr. is going to miss some time with a wrist injury that he sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Voit, if healthy can provide the Padres with some much-needed power.
He may also potentially spell Hosmer at first for a day of rest on occasion, though he obviously will not be the everyday first baseman.
The Padres may not be done adding pieces, and we’ll see what else GM AJ Preller has planned.
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