MLB
Yankees deal Luke Voit to Padres
The writing has been on the wall for some time, but the Yankees have now found a deal to send Luke Voit to the Padres for a right handed pitcher
The San Diego Padres have brought in some offensive power with the acquisition of first baseman Luke Voit from the New York Yankees in exchange for right-handed pitcher Justin Lange.
Voit led the Majors with 22 home runs in the shortened 2020 season and finished ninth in the American League Most Valuable Player vote. Struggling with injuries in 2021, the Yankees brought back Anthony Rizzo, putting Voit on the auction block.
Justin Lange was a first-round selection for the Padres in 2020. The 20 year old out of Llano High School in Texas went 0-3 in nine starts with a 6.95 ERA (22.0IP, 18H, 17ER, 15BB, 29K, 1HR) in the Padres farm system.
Prior to being drafted, the 6’ 4” right-hander was ranked 50th on Baseball America’s Top 500 list of top draft-eligible prospects.
Luke Voit hit .239 (51-for-213) with 26R, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 11HR, 35RBI and 21BB in 68 games last season. The 2020 Major League home run leader was acquired by the Yankees from St. Louis. With Anthony Rizzo’s re-signing, Voit has been left expendable by the pinstripes and the Padres feel that his power can give their lineup a real lift.