Former Padres Slugger Inks Deal with NL Central Team
Former Padres first baseman Luke Voit is on the move again. The right-handed slugger came over to San Diego from the Yankees last March, but he found himself on the move again less than five months later when the Friars included him in the trade with Washington that brought back Juan Soto. Originally, the trade was supposed to include Eric Hosmer, but when Hosmer exercised his no-trade clause, general manager AJ Preller included Voit instead.
Voit finished the season with the Nationals, posting a disappointing 95 OPS+ in 224 plate appearances. After the season, the Nats non-tendered the 32-year-old, who likely would have made about $6 million in arbitration, making him a free agent.
And a free agent Voit remained until Tuesday, when he found a new home in the National League Central, the division in which he started his career.
Voit will have a chance to earn a roster spot this spring. The Brewers went 86-76 and finished second in the Central last year, but they lost some right-handed thump when they traded Hunter Renfroe — their best hitter last season — to the Angels for a couple relief pitchers.
Milwaukee was actually in first place at midseason, when they inexplicably traded their closer, Josh Hader, to the Padres. Hader struggled badly early in his time with San Diego, but he recovered and posted a 0.79 ERA in his final 12 regular-season appearances and pitched 5.1 scoreless innings in the postseason, allowing just one hit and one walk during the Friars' run to the NLCS.
