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New York Yankees may be moving on from Luke Voit

By David Hill

Sep 18, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit (59) hits a two run home run against the Cleveland Indians during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit (59) hits a two run home run against the Cleveland Indians during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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There was a time when Luke Voit appeared to be a part of the New York Yankees‘ future. Acquired from the Cardinals for a pair of relievers, he had been a solid power hitting first baseman, helping to give the team some balance in the lineup. However, he drastically tailed off in 2021 as he battled injuries, seemingly falling out of favor in New York.

Now the Yankees have a decision to make. Voit is eligible for arbitration this season, and the man who replaced him in the lineup, Anthony Rizzo, is a free agent. Despite that hole at first, it is considered possible that the Yankees could move on from Voit, either non-tendering him or looking to find a trade partner.

New York Yankees have decision to make on Luke Voit

The Yankees had tried trading Voit before. Once Rizzo was acquired at the deadline, they made a late push to find a taker for Voit’s services, but were unable to get a deal done. Now they may be in the same situation, hoping that some team will take a chance that he can rebound.

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From 2018 through 2020, Voit was a solid player for New York. He exploded on the Yankees’ radar in his 39 game stint in 2018, belting 14 homers in 148 plate appearances. That was just a warmup for what he would do in the pandemic shortened 2020 campaign, when he led the majors with 22 homers and finished ninth in the MVP race.

The same could not be said for the 2021 campaign. Voit battled injuries all year, managing to appear in just 68 games. He posted a .239/.328/.437 batting line in his 241 plate appearances, hitting 11 homers and seven doubles. He still managed an above average 109 OPS+, but he was not the same player he had been over the previous three seasons.

If a team is looking to acquire Voit, they would essentially be gambling that he can return to the form he showed from 2018 through 2020. It is entirely possible that happens if he can remain healthy, especially given his performance in the pandemic shortened season. Voit could be a bargain for someone. But that is not likely to be the Yankees.

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The New York Yankees are looking to move on from Luke Voit. If he can return to form, they will come to regret that decision.

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