"That man deserves a big league deal" - Twitter jumps to defense of first baseman Luke Voit after fan favorite inks minor-league deal

At 6-foot-3 and 255 lbs, Luke Voit is hard to miss. Although he has not won any real distinctions over the course of his six-year career in the MLB, he has always been seen as a dependable and consistent part of any team that he is on.

Voit was traded from the San Diego Padres to the Washington Nationals at the 2022 trade deadline. He was part of the deal that sent Josh Bell and electrifying youngster Juan Soto the other way. Following the 2022 season, Voit entered free agency.

As the offseason went on, no team appeared to be interested in signing Voit. Despite tying a career-high number of home runs and posting a career-best 69 RBIs in 2022, he had trouble finding a suitor.

Robert Murray

@ByRobertMurray

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

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

"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

On Feb. 21, 2023, it was announced that Luke Voit signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. Fans have taken to Twitter to remark that they feel that Voit deserves more.

Zay😩

@Zay49444375

@ByRobertMurray @JonHeyman That Man deserves a big league deal

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@ByRobertMurray @JonHeyman That Man deserves a big league deal

dovi Taubenfeld

@minimiamiheat3

@ByRobertMurray @JonHeyman Minor league is disrespectful

@ByRobertMurray @JonHeyman Minor league is disrespectful

eli

@elicarmxn

@ByRobertMurray @CraigMish minor league? hes better than that

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@ByRobertMurray @CraigMish minor league? hes better than that

The minor-league deal represents a fairly significant fall from grace for a man who led the MLB in home runs, with 22 of them in the shortened 2020 season. Voit hit 21 and 22 home runs while playing for the New York Yankees during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, respectively.

After the Yankees acquired first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs in 2021, Voit was quickly pushed out of the first base position. Just days after Rizzo came to the Yankees, Voit was traded to the Padres.

Finn

@_mtf_

@ByRobertMurray I’d still prefer him over Rizzo.

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@ByRobertMurray I’d still prefer him over Rizzo.

Nick Tyrell

@nicktyrell

@ByRobertMurray @JonHeyman Luke gets no respect smh

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@ByRobertMurray @JonHeyman Luke gets no respect smh

Jay

@GreenBay_Jay

@ByRobertMurray We have a type

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@ByRobertMurray We have a type https://t.co/UXauqXGrZ8

The Brewers, however, have likely done the math. With a 64% contact percentage, Luke Voit had the lowest pitch connection rate in the entire league last season. With this in mind, a one-way deal was never going to happen this year for Voit.

Luke Voit still has a chance to get back to the MLB

Although Voit can technically re-enter the MLB if he proves himself worthy, it is likely to start the season with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. Having just turned 32 years old, there is still plenty of time for Voit to get back in the big leagues if he so wishes. With an evident legion of fans advocating for his cause, he will have every reason in the world to get back to the top very soon.

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