It seems like a long time ago, but slugger Luke Voit actually led MLB in home runs in the pandemic season.
It was in 2020, back when he was with the New York Yankees.
He hit 22 blasts in 56 games.
His career has been spiraling downward ever since, mainly due to injuries and the fact he is a flawed player.
He entered free agency because the Washington Nationals non-tendered him a few months ago.
On Tuesday, it was announced that he signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on a one-year minor-league deal.
The pact does include an invitation to spring training, which is why he will get the chance to make the Brewers roster.
Yankee podcaster and writer Max Mannis thinks the free agency process has a problem with guys like Voit.
“Man, Luke Voit is really a prime example of how MLB free agency is stacked against guys who debut when they’re older. He could’ve had a nice payday if he hit the market two years ago, and instead he has to settle for a minor league deal at age 32,” he tweeted.
Man, Luke Voit is really a prime example of how MLB free agency is stacked against guys who debut when they’re older. He could’ve had a nice payday if he hit the market two years ago, and instead he has to settle for a minor league deal at age 32. https://t.co/DqgEfED8AF
—Max Mannis (@MaxMannis) February 21, 2023
In reality, Voit has been very productive as an MLB hitter, slashing .254/.342/.476 with a 123 wRC+.
That’s 23 percent better than the league average hitter.
MLB teams have a problem with old guys who debuted at an advanced age, like Voit.
They are under team control for several years, followed by several arbitration years.
For some players, this means they may not hit free agency until well past the age of 30.
However, it’s mainly because the fact they didn’t debut sooner happened for a reason.
In the specific case of Voit, he doesn’t play good defense, is very slow, and is somewhat injury-prone.
He does have a terrific eye at the plate, but all-hit, no defense first basemen aren’t precisely scarce in the league.
Voit has the potential to contribute to the Brewers, but he is strictly a designated hitter whose high strikeout rate makes him prone to slumps.
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