Late on Tuesday night, the New York Yankees agreed to terms with first baseman Anthony Rizzo on a two-year, $32 million contract. He will be the starter at the cold corner, leaving Luke Voit’s future up in the air.
Voit suffered a myriad of injuries in 2021, most notably a meniscus problem that ended up taking away most of his season. He is also a defensive liability. When healthy, however, he is a potent power bat capable of leading the league in home runs, as he did in 2020: it was a small sample, but still.
Now, with first base and the designated hitter position mostly occupied, he will likely be traded. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday morning, he was politically correct and said he understood why the Yankees were coveting another first baseman.
“I get it,” he said, per NJ Advance Media.
“These next 19 games are important for me to show other teams … prove that I’m healthy again,” Voit said. Regarding that last sentence, he confirmed he is back to 100 percent.
“I feel great, he stated. “I feel healthy, and that’s all I wanted to control this year. I was preparing myself for a long season. I’m still staying positive.”
He understands it was a business decision by the Yankees
He did admit to being upset and feeling a little dissed. “Absolutely, he said.
He understands it’s a business decision by the Yankees.
“I was hurt (most of the year), so someone’s got to come in and fill that spot, and Anthony did do a good job last year,” Voit explained.
“I know they want to be left-handed, so I get it. This has been a thing since last year with our team being righty dominant. It’s a business.”
The Yankees will likely trade Voit to a team that misses out on Freddie Freeman, the biggest fish available when it comes to hitters.
“Obviously Freddie is still a big part (of this) and I know there’s still going to be a lot more trades,” Voit said. “There are still 100 free agents out there, so I have no idea.”
“I’ve enjoyed myself since I’ve been here in ‘18 and I really enjoyed New York,” Voit said. “It’s the best place to play baseball and who knows? Maybe I’ll still be here. We’ll see what happens.”