Luke Voit Opts Out, Becomes Free Agent
Syracuse Mets 1B/DH Luke Voit has opted out of his minor league deal and has become a free agent according to our own Michael Mayer. Voit, 32, needs to become part of another organization’s 40-man roster by August 31 if he is to be postseason eligible.
Voit signed with the Mets on June 11 after he has been waived by the Milwaukee Brewers. Voit quickly became a Syracuse fan favorite with his bat and his sleeveless jersey look.
In 37 games for Syracuse, Voit hit .264/.415/.643 with five doubles, one triple, 14 homers, and 35 RBI.
After the trade deadline, the Mets called up a number of players from Syracuse to fill-in roster gaps. Those players included Jonathan Araúz, Rafael Ortega, and Michael Pérez.
Over the past month, the Mets called up Danny Mendick, DJ Stewart, and Mark Vientos. Even with all the roster needs and the slate of call-ups, the organization never found a spot for Voit on the Major League roster.
Part of the reason was the presence of Pete Alonso and Daniel Vogelbach on the Major League roster. With the team looking towards 2024 and beyond, they are going to give Vientos a longer look. Unfortunately, that meant there was no spot available for Voit on the Mets roster.
In other Mets minor league news, right-handed minor league pitcher Stephen Ridings was released. Ridings, 27, was selected off waivers from the New York Yankees in November 2022.
Ridings suffered a lat strain during spring training and was placed on the 60-day IL in May. After a brief rehab stint with Low-A St. Lucie, he was activated on June 15 and assigned to Triple-A Syracuse.
In 11 relief appearances, he was 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA, 1.273 WHIP, 6.5 BB/9, and a 9.0 K/9. He was designated for assignment and outrighted to Syracuse on July 17.
Outfielder Tanner Murphy has also been released by the Mets organization. Murphy, 25, was the Mets 2018 19th round draft pick out of the University of North Florida.
Murphy played 51 games between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse this season. He was batting .203/.294/.295 with nine doubles, two homers, and 14 RBI. He was not caught in his nine stolen base attempts.
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