A Holiday Present For Padres, Red Sox: A Wil Myers/David Price Trade

From the Padres Perspective: Wil Myers Must be Moved

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It been the worst kept secret in baseball that Myers will be playing somewhere else than San Diego next season. The Padres are desperate to move him, but his contract is the roadblock as Myers is owed $60 million on a deal that runs through the 2022 season. Speculation prior to the winter meetings were the Padres would have to attach a decent prospect to move Myers in any deal.

The Red Sox are ideal trade partners for the Padres because they have a top-of-the rotation starting pitcher available, but he’s owed $96 million over the next three seasons. Once, you subtract the money owed to each player, then the real negotiations begin on deciding who is responsible for paying the remaining $36 million left on Price’s contract. Both sides should come to a quick, amicable agreement as a trade of this nature keeps their minor league systems intact for the conceivable future.

Myers Could Resurrect His Career in Boston

Myers is the perfect addition to the Red Sox lineup as he’s a competent first baseman who is capable of getting on a hot streak at the plate and carrying a team for a few weeks. Plus, Myers is very versatile as he can also play third base and all three outfield positions.

Let’s not forget the fact that Myers $13.85 million salary saves the Red Sox more than $20 million against the luxury tax next season. Consummating this deal gives them some much-needed financial relief to make in-season roster moves without the fear of going too far over the threshold.

Still, the Red Sox have to be concerned with Myers production last season. It was his worst statistical season in the majors as Myers batted .239 with 18 HRs and 53 RBIs. He had a .321 OBP, .739 OPS and struck out 163 times in only 435 at-bats. One thing in Myers favor is his prior relationship with Sox’s new chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom from their days together with the Tampa Rays.

A change of scenery might unleash Myers’ true potential on the field. A trade to Boston provides him an opportunity to play a role on a contender instead of being a savoir for a franchise desperately trying to find an identity. And if Myers cannot produce, then he becomes a short-term solution at first base until Sox top prospect Triston Casas is ready to take over the position.

It’s rare in baseball when a trade helps both teams financially and on-the-field. The clock is ticking on Myers and Price as both are going to be playing elsewhere next season. Now, the wait begins to see if the Padres and Red Sox can consummate a fair, but complicated deal.