LMike Voit had a feeling that his time with the Yankees was coming to an end when New York reacquired Anthony Rizzo.
“I knew something was going to happen in the last day or two,” Voit said Friday after being traded to the San Diego Padres. for 20-year-old right-hander Justin Lange, the 34th overall pick in the 2020 amateur draft.
Voit, a 31-year-old power slugger, led the major leagues with 22 home runs during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season of the coronavirus, when he hit .277 with 52 RBI.
“Really excited,” he said as he left Bradenton, where the Yankees played an exhibition game against Pittsburgh. “Not only is it a good organization but they have a team ready to win. I’m super excited to go play with one of my college buddies, Pierce Johnson.”
Voit went on the disabled list four times last year, three for left knee problems that required surgery on March 29 to repair a torn meniscus: March 31 to May 1 while recovering, then from July 16 to August 8, and from September 30 to the postseason due to inflammation. He was also on the disabled list from May 27 to June 22 with an external oblique injury.
Voit batted .239 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI in 68 games with the Yankees last season. including five home runs in the eighth inning or later. New York acquired Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs before the trade deadline, seeking a left-handed first baseman.