First baseman Luke Voit has opted out of his minor league deal with Milwaukee in what Brewers manager Craig Counsell described to reporters (including MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy) as a “procedural move.” Though Voit is no longer with the club, it remains possible that the Brewers re-sign him to a major league deal in the coming days. Until and unless that happens, however, Voit is now free to explore opportunities with other organizations.
Voit’s decision comes on the heels of yesterday’s announcement that Keston Hiura will not make the Opening Day roster in Milwaukee, which seemingly left Voit in prime position to take his place as a slugging right-handed complement to first baseman Rowdy Tellez. While that could still be the ultimate outcome, it won’t happen without Voit having the chance to field opportunities from the other 29 organizations.
Voit stands as one of the better hitters available in the run-up to Opening Day, sporting a career 123 wRC+ highlighted by a 144 wRC+ in 221 games across the 2018-2020 seasons. As he opened the 2022 season with the Padres, Voit was a solid, above-average bat at first base even though he wasn’t reaching the heights of previous seasons, slashing .225/.317/.416 (good for a wRC+ of 110) in 82 games. Unfortunately for Voit, he slashed just .228/.295/.381 (90 wRC+) down the stretch following a trade to the Nationals, leading Washington to non-tender Voit this past winter.
Even after struggling in 53 games for the Nationals last year, however, Voit seems likely to latch onto a major league roster somewhere as a quality, right-handed bat. Aside from the Brewers, the Phillies stand out as a potentially interesting possibility following the loss of first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who suffered a torn ACL last week. Though slugging lefty Darick Hall figures to get the lion’s share of plate appearances at first, Voit could be a right-handed complement to Hall at first base and draw starts at DH, where the Phillies figure to have no set regular until Bryce Harper returns from Tommy John surgery.
Phillies?
Padre reunion would be peachy keen, don’t think the branches of the tree have enough room though. Phillies might bite, but I understand they like Hall there.
Or back to the Brewers?
Likelier outcome, I agree that’s what’s probable, Dream.
What in the Fu¢k…!!!
Dump Renfroe for Toilet Paper…
Drop the awful Keston and let Voit go…???
Looks like Burnes will to Mets for Escobar and Diaz…
Woodard to Seattle for Kelnic and Yelich to LA for a Sushi plate…
I am lashing back to the awful logo and puking…
Are you… okay?
He’s got a fever from Salmonella, but he’ll be alright tomorrow.
Salmonella for Sal Manilla? 😮
Son, Hall is better than Voit and has more potential
Hall hasn’t proven that he can be a major league hitter. He struck out way too many times, when he filled in as the dh last year during Harper’s thumb injury. D D is saying what he needs to say. Voit is a proven major league hitter ( when healthy). They are both atrocious defensively at first. I believe D D will sign Voit, and have the option of platooning Hall and Voit.
It’s funny how every time a team has an injury, posters on here immediately decide they should pick-up a past-his-expiration-date player that is available because the team he last played for can’t even get anything back for him in trade.
All teams have reserves on the ML roster that can take the spot as well as players in the minors. For most FO’s it’s difficult to cut down to a 26 man roster. There’s no reason to pick up another teams garbage.
Agreed. Let both platoon at DH which much get you 30-40 homers in Hoskins absence. I’d move Bohm to 1b and let sosa start at 3rd.
I think Voit, in Citizens’, gets you 30-40 homers all by himself.
There’s no doubt that Milwaukee wants him back but I’m willing to guess that they are low-balling him on salary. Voit made the right decision by opting out. He might be able to find a team willing to pay him $3-$4M for 2023 versus Milwaukee who are probably only offering him $1M + incentives. Just a guess on my part but this is something that Milwaukee would certainly do.
bronxmac77;
Let’s see……
Voit was terrible his last few years with the Yankees. He was disappointing in San Diego, and the Nats found a long-term minor leaguer that outplayed him.
Now he’s going to go to Philly and be a part of a 40 HR platoon?
@dorothy All the Brewers had to do was select him to the roster before he was able to opt out. Meaning the team and Voit had discussed this, which is why Counsell said it was procedural. Meaning the Brewers would probably be open to him returning but likely also have another player in mind, likely one of their minor league outfielders, they have in mind to take up that roster spot should Voit sign elsewhere instead. Even with a solid spring, it’s highly unlikely Voit gets major money anywhere. It was still spring training after all.
koz – If Voit stays in Milwaukee he could become the next Gorman Thomas.
In fact, he may even be the son Thomas never talked about. LOL
I don’t expect much from Hall. I think his potential is a platoon hitter or a power bat off the bench. Voit isn’t much better, but I don’t think Hall is the future.
Hey von, my take is LEAVE Bohm @3b period. Team must see what he has to offer, there is zero in the minors. So let him ride….
Voit is not any better than what they have…His only role would be that of a part time player until Bryce is back…..But DD knows more than us.
Let Hall take full-time reigns for the first couple months, taking tough lefties off….then let Realmuto/Harrison(?) take 1b.
So many posters are playing musical chairs w/ multiple positions here. We all know a few of the fielders have challenges, why exasperate the problem?
Completely agree. Bohm is our 3B. I like the idea of playing Harrison a bit too.
Von;
Darick Hall didn’t peak as a player last year at age 26.
Under DD the Phillies are a development organization, and that includes making players on the ML roster better. They did that last year with at least 3 bullpenners as well as Stott, Vierling, Marsh, Stubbs, Maton, Sosa and others.
I was sorry they dumped Hall when Harper came back, but I accepted that they wanted the roster spot for a guy that could play multiple positions. Thought the Phillies had given up on him. Happy to see they hadn’t.
With Nola asking for the moon in his his next contract; expecting Wheeler to do the same in a year; and Boras undoubtedly asking for a one-sided make-good contract for Hoskins next year that will be similar to what Michael Conforto got with the Giants ($18m the first year and a player option for $18 the 2nd); DD has to have some productive players that are still under their 6 years of control and affordable.
Hall’s career slash line in AAA — .242/.334/.465 — doesn’t scream he’s great. Maybe the solution is to have both on the team, assuming they can fit both on the active roster.
Hall 1B and Voit DH is certainly possible. They aren’t mutually exclusive.
DarkSide830;
Doubt it. Wrote it yesterday….
Phillies have 13 position player spots on the roster. They’re not using 2 on platoon 1B/DH’s.
DD made an interesting comment yesterday about Hall that I didn’t know – that Hall had been working with Kevin Long all offseason in Arizona on his hitting. Long said there had been noticeable improvements.
Son, no he isn’t. Son.
Voit is another righty with reverse splits, so he doesn’t make sense for the Phils just like Keston Huira.
Righties with reverse splits are good. Means they actually hit the majority of pitchers better. Luke hit 22 bombs in 60 games just 3 years ago as a Yankee. San Diego was a pitchers’ park (they’ve modified it some) when Luke was there. I think in Philly’s park he might flourish.
Wow
Null and Voit, Luke moves on…
A vo te for Volt is a vote for ehhhhh never mind wrong article
They want his power potential. He’ll be in on a major league deal.
PRELLER…bring Chest Moss home
The problem would be the 26 & 40. Love the idea though!
Nelson Cruz
Yuuup
I like Voit, I just wish he didn’t strike out so much.
Then he wouldn’t be available.
Gallo’s humor?
And hurt as much tbh
and could play defense adequately… in fact, if Voit were Mike Trout, that would be dope
Mike Trout strikes out too much against ex-teammates in meaningless baseball tournaments. Hard pass.
Phillies really should kick the tires here. Not saying they have to, just that their choice has a low OBP in AAA even.
Phillies should go get him. Then beat out Milwaukee by 1 game to make the platoffs again, while Milwaukee wonders “what happened” again.
Pirates or Phillies should pick him up for a 1 year/$3M major league deal w/ a $1.5M buyout on a $7M option.
Pirates look full at 1b dh.
It would be a good fit so they can have a five man rotation at 1b. Seriously, the Reds or Phillies would be a better match considering. Or at least temporary.
Mets should drop Darin Ruf and give Luke Voit a shot.
Not with Vientos in the mix.
I would dump Ruf for Vientos right now. Vientos deserves a look see for some regular at bats at DH just to see whether he is an MLB ready hitter, but he won’t get them. With Baty and Alonso, he won’t get playing time in the field. And not sure what another year at AAA accomplishes for that kid. Has seemed for a while to be the prospect most likely to be traded, at least in a package. So ditch Ruf and DH Vientos against lefties.
Vientos is not in the mix currently; neither is Baty. If they’re not letting the kids play, definitely swap Ruf for Voit. I expect to see Baty in Queens for a significant portion of 2023 though.
I don’t think the Mets need him on their roster what with all the at-or-near-MLB-ready hitting prospects they have; however, they should create a new coaching position for Steve Austin so he could do a “Stone Cold” Beer Bash every time the Mets hit a home run.
I like the apple, but no one would complain about this.
Does Bernie Brewer still do his HR slide?
Yes but he no longer slides into a giant beer mug like he did at the old County Stadium.
“Get up, get up, get outta here, GONE!!”
Give up Ruf after trading Davis and 3 prospects for him so he can be a weak platoon with Vogey?
Counsell is usually a straight shooter. My guess is he’s a Brewer.
Someone read the article.
I hope your right Eddie
Giants?
In what ways would that make sense?
Definitely Philly bound.
Just drivin’ around in Luuk Voit’s car
Luke Voit bit you? What is he, a vampire?
Check the pencil!
What the eff is wRC+?
Isn’t that the meaningless tournament that put half of all mlb players on the IL?
Could be.
@YourDreamGM
That would be a wRC-.
Imagine the Chicago Cub-neighbors snatch Luke up and he hits 45 bombs.
Imagine the Chicago Cub pick up Luke up and he hits 45 bombs.
LOLPhillthies go and get him!!!
You must have a sad life, little man. Everyone laughs at you in real life so you need to come comment on message boards to feel worthwhile. Sad.
Fun guy to have on team – Milwaukee should keep him
Phillies, coming from a Brewers fan, is a great fit. Way to go Brewers!
Head scratcher for sure. Thought Voit was a lock with Hiura dfa. Did Brewers really just let him audition for other teams for an extra week??? Awfully sweet of them. Should have been giving Brian Anderson that time at first.
Just wanted to say how much I love MLBTR and the posting function. It’s the last of a dying breed of places where smart fans can exercise their First Amendment rights without fear that some hyper-sensitive candy-ass admin is going to shut them down. Remember when ESPN used to let you post? Now, they don’t want to know what you think. Great discussion… and on Luke Voit!!
First Amendment does not apply to these boards unless you are saying something about the government for some reason.