Padres get slugger Voit from Yankees

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Padres arrived at Spring Training in need of some middle-of-the-order thump, then lost their 42-homer shortstop for three months, further asserting their need for a big-time bat.

Well, they got one on Friday. In their first post-lockout trade, the Padres dealt for slugging first baseman Luke Voit, sending pitching prospect Justin Lange to the Yankees in return.

Padres get: 1B Luke Voit
Yankees get: RHP Justin Lange

“I knew something was going to happen over the last day or two,” said Voit, who became expendable when the Yankees signed Anthony Rizzo to a two-year contract. “I’m really excited, not only [because of] the organization, but they’ve got a team ready to win.”

The Padres anticipate using Voit primarily as a designated hitter, though he's expected to man first base against left-handed starters in place of the lefty-hitting Eric Hosmer.

What they're getting
Voit, when healthy, is a right-handed-hitting force. During the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, he led the Majors with 22 homers. In parts of five big league seasons with the Yankees and Cardinals, Voit owns a .267/.357/.510 batting line with a 133 wRC+ (meaning he's been 33 percent better, on the whole, than a league-average hitter).

That kind of production should fit seamlessly into the middle of the Padres' lineup. Voit's glove leaves some question marks. But more than anything, San Diego needed a bat.

“It’s a great fit for us,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Obviously with [Fernando Tatis Jr.] down, it gives us more production. I've been on the other side of his bat several times. He knows how to DH, can play a little first maybe against left-handed pitching. This just makes us a better team.”

Injuries marred Voit's 2021 season. He underwent surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee in March, then endured left knee issues in the second half. As a result, Voit played in only 68 games, posting a .765 OPS that was his lowest mark as a Yankee.

President of baseball operations A.J. Preller noted that the Padres believe Voit has put those injury woes behind him. He arrived at Yankees camp notably lighter and is a full year removed from knee surgery.

Said Voit: "I just want to go over there and just mash again."

What they gave up
Lange, the No. 34 overall pick in the 2020 Draft, is a high-ceiling pitching prospect, though he’s dealt with command issues at the lower levels of the Minor Leagues. He checked in as the team’s No. 8 prospect before the deal.

“He came in in that COVID season, so he really hasn’t had an opportunity to go out and pitch a ton,” Preller said. “Last year, he had some starts and stops. He’s a talent, he’s got a good arm, he’s a good athlete. All those reasons are why we liked him in the Draft.

“Ultimately, it’s a prospect that’s a little bit away. It’s going to take him some time. But we expect him to go out and do well for the Yankees. You always have to give up something that’s good to get somebody that’s good. Overall we felt like it was a price we wanted to give up to get a bat that we think is going to help our lineup.”

What it means
This, really, is quite an upgrade for the Padres' offense. With the addition of a designated hitter in the NL, they were staring down the possibility of using one of their four catching options at DH. Now, they have Voit, and a lineup that looks something like this while Tatis is out:

1. Trent Grisham, CF
2. Manny Machado, 3B
3. Jake Cronenworth, 2B
4. Luke Voit, DH
5. Eric Hosmer, 1B
6. Wil Myers, RF
7. Austin Nola, C
8. Jurickson Profar, LF
9. Ha-Seong Kim, SS

As Preller noted, Voit should also see time at first base against left-handed pitching, considering Hosmer's struggles against lefties. Prior to the move, Melvin and Preller sat down with Hosmer, the subject of trade rumors himself, to discuss what a right-handed addition might mean for Hosmer's playing time.

"All of our conversations have been good," Melvin said. "I talked to him before the lockout about what this year might look like. He just wants to win. He couldn't be better, and everything I've talked to him about, he's said, 'I'm all-in for whatever you need me to do.'"

In theory, against left-handed pitching, the Padres could slide Nola into the DH spot, giving at-bats to another of their right-handed-hitting catchers -- Jorge Alfaro or Luis Campusano, both of whom hit lefties well.

But don't set that plan in stone just yet.

What's next?
Voit's arrival addresses the biggest question mark in the Padres' lineup. But, positionally, it doesn't solve their outfield dilemma. Myers, Grisham and Profar are the only outfielders on the team's 40-man roster, and an addition in left field (which would push Profar into a utility role on the bench) still seems likely.

"We're going to keep looking to improve our team," Preller said succinctly, noting that those improvements might be made on both sides of the ball.

The Padres have a strong pitching staff and a deep bullpen, but they don't have a certifiable closer and could use another left-handed weapon, with Drew Pomeranz unlikely to be ready by Opening Day. Perhaps they will put some of their resources there, while still searching for an outfield upgrade.

One move down. Almost certainly, more to come.