The New York Yankees can go several different directions in 2020 at the first base position. They could commit to DJ LeMahieu, who served as a utility man throughout the 2019 season, at first, or they can rely on two players who have yet to prove they can be consistent options beyond just one season.
Both Mike Ford and Luke Voit can be potential starters at the position, despite limited sample-sizes of efficiency. First base continues to be a question mark for the Bombers, and with minimal options in free agency, plugging in Voit, who was traded to the Yankees in 2018 from the St. Louis Cardinals, is a healthy choice.
Luke finished his first season with the Yankees in 2018 batting .333 with 14 homers and 33 RBIs over 132 at-bats. Last season, he also looked solid, hitting .263 with 21 homers and 62 RBIs over 429 at-bats.
Two consecutive productive seasons for Voit gives him a leg up over Ford, who was injected into the starting team halfway through 2019 to assist while the regular first basemen were injured and recovering.
Ford hit .259 and 12 homers last season, his first major league campaign. He played a significant part in supplementing the loss of Voit and Edwin Encarnacion at times. He has the potential to be a starter for the team, but his services might not be called upon just yet. He is a favorable candidate to slide into the designated hitter position and act as a reserve first baseman in the scenario that Voit misses any time.
What makes Luke Voit so attractive for the Yankees?
Voit was on a one year, $573,000 deal in 2019. His low cap-hit gives the Yankees cash on hand to pursue other players. I imagine he will remain a moderate hit and settle in the $1-2 million range next year. If he can continue to produce offensively, the slugger can be the every-day first baseman for the Yankees moving forward. Having Ford waiting in the wings is also a great thing, as he will eventually be the successor if Voit struggles.