Inside The Pinstripes

New York Yankees Trade 1B Luke Voit to San Diego Padres

New York acquired a minor league pitcher in exchange for the first baseman.

Max Goodman

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BRADENTON, Fla. — Yankees first baseman Luke Voit has been traded to the San Diego Padres in exchange for right-hander Justin Lange.

MLB insider Jon Heyman was first to report the trade. New York made an announcement making the deal official moments later.

Voit was penciled in to start at first base in New York’s Grapefruit League opener in Bradenton against the Pirates on Friday afternoon. After mingling with his teammates during batting practice, Voit retreated to the clubhouse with manager Aaron Boone after hearing the news.

Earlier this week, Voit was dubbed the starting first baseman by Boone. His future with the club was always in question, though. The 31-year-old was on the injured list four times in 2021, influencing the Yankees to trade for Anthony Rizzo at last summer’s deadline.

When New York re-signed Rizzo in free agency on Wednesday night, bringing back the superior defender and left-handed bat, all signs pointed to a change in scenery.

Voit’s tenure in New York certainly didn’t end the way he wanted, but there were plenty of positive moments over the years.

The slugger mashed 22 home runs in the pandemic-shortened campaign in 2020, more long balls than any other player in baseball. He also provided a spark after he was acquired from the Cardinals in 2018.

Across four season and 281 total games with the Yankees, Voit hit .271/.363/.520 with 68 home runs and 182 RBI.

Now, the first baseman has an opportunity to take advantage of more playing time on the Padres. With the designated hitter coming to the National League, he’ll be able to get in the lineup far more often than he would’ve with Rizzo in the fold with New York.

Lange, the hurler the Yankees acquire from the Padres, was a first-round selection in 2020. He made his professional debut one year later, making nine starts for the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League (ACL) Padres, going 0-3 with a 6.95 ERA.

After Friday’s trade, the Yankees 40-man roster stands at 39. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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