San Diego Padres moving Wil Myers back to outfield

The quest to find a home for Wil Myers on the diamond continues, as the San Diego Padres are once again changing his position.

Another year, another position for San Diego Padres outfielder/infielder Wil Myers.

Originally a catcher in the Royals system, Myers moved to the outfield in 2011, spending most of his time in center and right. That continued after his trade to the Tampa Bay Rays, as he spent the majority of both seasons in Florida in the outfield. However, since being traded to the San Diego Padres, Myers has been a player without a set position. He has bounced from center to first, then over to right, and then to third and out to left.

Myers’ positional odyssey will continue in 2019. This time, the Padres are slotting him back into their outfield, making a crowded situation even more confusing. In theory, Myers will see time at one of the corner positions, with Manny Margot seemingly entrenched in center.

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It is questionable as to how well Myers will perform in an outfield setting. He has cost his teams seven runs in right over 169 career games, but has been reasonably decent in left. Over 38 games, he has been exactly league average, neither saving nor costing his teams a run. Defensively, Myers’ best position has been first, where he has saved ten runs, but the Padres signing of Eric Hosmer moved the former All Star off of the position.

Myers new positional change also makes the outfield situation even more crowded. In addition to Myers and Margot, the Padres have to find playing time for Franchy Cordero, Travis Jankowski, Hunter Renfroe, and Franmil Reyes. Of course, a trade would alleviate those concerns.

In reality, it may be best to use Myers as a super utility player. He can play all three outfield positions, and both corner infield spots, allowing him to remain in the lineup on a regular basis. However, with another $73 million due over the next four years, not including a team option for 2023, the Padres need to find a set place for him in the lineup.

It is also possible that leaving Myers alone on the field will allow him to reach his potential offensively. He has been a decent hitter over his major league career, with a lifetime .253/.328/.439 batting line, with 98 homers and 77 steals, but he has not been worth that long term extension the Padres had inked him to prior to 2017. There is still time for Myers to be the offensive force he had been expected to become, and keeping him in one position may be key.

The San Diego Padres are moving Wil Myers to another position once again. Hopefully, this time, he will have some stability for the upcoming season.