The Brewers introduced to reporters, together with Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, that they’ve signed first baseman Luke Voit to a one-year cope with a membership choice for 2024. The monetary phrases aren’t publicly recognized presently. In a corresponding transfer, infielder Keston Hiura was designated for project. Moreover, infielder Abraham Toro was optioned to the minors and outfielder Sal Frelick was reassigned to minor league camp. The Brewers additionally introduced that infielder Brice Turang has made the Opening Day roster.
Voit, 32, has beforehand been in camp with the Brewers on a minor league deal, although it afforded him the flexibility to opt-out and pursue alternatives elsewhere. Although he initially agreed to kick that call down the highway, he ultimately triggered his opt-out and returned to the open market. Nonetheless, the Brewers didn’t need him to get away and have now introduced him again aboard with a serious league deal and an choice for 2024. Even when they flip that choice down, they might nonetheless retain Voit by way of arbitration since he’ll nonetheless be shy of six years’ service time on the finish of the season.
The slugger has beforehand been one of the vital potent bats within the league however is coming off a few years that weren’t fairly as sturdy. He truly led the majors in dwelling runs within the shortened 2020 season, going over the fence 22 instances. His .277/.338/.610 batting line that 12 months amounted to a wRC+ of 153, indicating he was 53% higher than the league common hitter. However in 2021, he handled knee accidents for a lot of the 12 months and struggled when he wasn’t on the IL. The Yanks ultimately supplanted him at first by buying Anthony Rizzo, buying and selling Voit to the Padres going into 2022.
Voit stayed wholesome sufficient to get into 135 sport final 12 months, ultimately hitting 22 dwelling runs, however with lesser outcomes total. He struck out in 31.5% of his plate appearances and hit .226/.308/.402 for a wRC+ of 102. That included a midseason commerce to the Nationals within the Juan Soto deal, after Eric Hosmer used his restricted no-trade clause to take himself out of it. The Nats may have stored him round by way of arbitration, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting an $8.2MM wage, although they non-tendered him as a substitute.
The Brewers have a left-handed hitter at first base in Rowdy Tellez and their outfield/designated hitter combine comprises additional lefties in Christian Yelich, Jesse Winker and Garrett Mitchell. Voit’s right-handed bat would appear at first look to make a superb match for that group in a platoon position, although he truly has modest reverse splits in his profession. He’s hit .262/.347/.491 in opposition to righties in his profession for a 129 wRC+. Towards southpaws, he’s hit .236/.329/.439, for a 110 wRC+, nonetheless above common however lower than his work in opposition to righties. Nonetheless he’s deployed, he’ll look to get again on monitor along with his new membership after a few attempting seasons.
As for Hiura, 26, he made a giant splash along with his debut in 2019, hitting 19 dwelling runs in simply 84 video games. He’s continued to hit for energy within the seasons since however with mounting strikeout points which have diminished his total manufacturing. Final 12 months, he hit 14 homers in simply 80 video games however was additionally punched out at a 41.7% charge. MLBTR’s Steve Adams lately took an in depth look of the Hiura state of affairs, which put the membership in a clumsy spot as a result of he now not has choices. Just a few days in the past, Hiura was knowledgeable that he wouldn’t be making the roster.
The Brewers will now have every week to both commerce Hiura or attempt to move him via waivers. Regardless of his struggles, it appears potential that one other staff could be keen to present him a shot based mostly on his big energy output. That might maybe be a staff that isn’t anticipating to be aggressive this 12 months, although it’s additionally potential that accidents may create alternatives elsewhere. Within the occasion that Hiura clears waivers, he would be capable to reject an outright project, although it’s potential he accepts. Gamers with between three and 5 years of service time can reject outright assignments however they need to forfeit their wage. Hiura certified for arbitration for the primary time this offseason and agreed to a $2.2MM wage, which means he’d have to go away that on the desk to develop into a free agent.
As for Turang, 23, he’s one of many membership’s high prospects. Chosen within the first spherical of the 2018 draft, he spent final 12 months in Triple-A. He hit 13 dwelling runs and stole 34 bases, hitting .286/.360/.412 for a wRC+ of 108. Although he’s principally been a shortstop in his time within the minors, he figures to take over the second base job in Milwaukee subsequent to Willy Adames. Turang is already on the 40-man roster so a corresponding transfer gained’t be crucial.
