Milwaukee Brewers Sign 2020 AL Home Run Champ to Minor League Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed first baseman, designated hitter and 2020 American League home run champion Luke Voit to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, MLB insider Robert Murray reports.

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed first baseman and designated hitter Luke Voit to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, MLB insider Robert Murray reports.

Free-agent first baseman Luke Voit has signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers that includes an invite to spring training.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 21, 2023

While playing for the New York Yankees, Voit led the AL in home runs with 22 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

Voit, now 32, played for the Yankees from 2018 through 2021. Voit was limited to just 68 games in 2021, and the Yankees acquired first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs. After the Yankees re-signed Rizzo in March 2022, the Yankees dealt Voit to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Justin Lange.

Voit slashed .225/.317/.733 with 13 home runs in 82 games with the Padres. On August 2, the Padres traded Voit, along with MacKenzie Gore, C.J. Abrams, Robert Hassell, James Wood and Jarlin Susana to the Washington Nationals in exchange for Juan Soto and Josh Bell.

Voit slashed .228/.295/.676 with nine home runs and 21 RBI in 53 games with the Nationals.

Upon the conclusion of the 2022 season, the Nationals did not tender Voit a contract, making him a free agent.

If Voit makes the Brewers' big league team, he could platoon at first base with Rowdy Tellez. Tellez is a left-handed hitter and Voit is a righty.

The Brewers are coming off an 86-win season in which the club finished second place in the National League Central, but failed to reach the postseason. It was the first year the Brewers missed the playoffs since 2017, having clinched a postseason berth in the previous four seasons.

PECOTA recently projected the Brewers to win the NL Central in 2023.

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