San Diego Padres: Three trade destinations for Wil Myers
The San Diego Padres had expected Wil Myers to be a key part of their future. Just three years later, they are looking to be rid of him.
One could understand the San Diego Padres decision to sign Wil Myers to a long term extension prior to the 2017 campaign. He had come off of his first All Star season in 2016, belting 28 homers and stealing 26 bases. At 26 years old, and about to enter his prime, that six year extension worth $83 million appeared to be a bargain for a player who seemed to be a burgeoning superstar.
The problem is that Myers never built on that season. While he has been a solid power hitter with respectable speed, he never quite became that star he was expected to be. At this point, the remaining $67.5 million due over the next three years has become an albatross for the Padres.
As such, they would love to be able to move on from his contract. The problem is that the Padres would need to take on an equally onerous deal in order to part ways with Myers. Yet, given some of the holes on the Padres roster, and potential landing spots, such a trade could work out for everyone involved.
If the San Diego Padres do find a taker for Wil Myers, it may well be one of these three teams.
Boston Red Sox
Trade talks between the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres have already been rumored. Wil Myers could end up being part of a deal between the two teams.
The Padres are, like virtually every other team in existence, interested in acquiring Mookie Betts for the coming season. Unlike most other teams, they also have interest in David Price, who the Red Sox desperately want to be rid of to drop under the luxury tax.
In order for the Padres to take on Price, or for the Red Sox to deal their erstwhile starter, they will need to send over a bad contract of their own. With Betts theoretically on the move in such a trade, Myers could actually be a useful piece of the puzzle. Unlike Betts, who is likely gone after the upcoming season, Myers would be a longer term option in right. And, he would save Boston approximately $10 million per season over the next three years.
Naturally, the Red Sox would want a lot more than Myers if Betts is part of the trade. However, the Padres do have the type of prospects that Boston would want in return. With a plethora of top pitching prospects, and five of the top 100 prospects in the game, the Padres are in the perfect position to make a splash.
The Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres appear to be perfect trade partners. Wil Myers may even find his long term home in such a deal.
New York Mets
According to reports, the New York Mets are looking for another outfielder. With the San Diego Padres potentially in need of a second baseman, a trade could be possible.
In theory, the Mets want a center fielder. However, Brandon Nimmo has played center before, and performed relatively well at the position. Likewise, Wil Myers has spent time in center, although he has struggled defensively at the position, costing teams nine runs in his 114 games in the middle of the outfield.
Likewise, the Padres could, in theory, use a second baseman. Enter Robinson Cano, one of the Mets blockbuster moves from the previous offseason. On the list of moves made to turn the Mets back into a contender, acquiring Cano may be one of the deals that the front office would want back. However, with Cano due another $96 million over four years, his contract may be one of the most difficult to move.
Yet, a deal with the Padres could be possible. Myers would complement the Mets outfield, slotting in along with Nimmo and Michael Conforto. Cano could be an answer for the Padres at second after they traded Luis Urias. It would likely take a prospect or two on the Mets side, as well as some cash, but a swap of bad contracts could make sense.
Both the New York Mets and San Diego Padres have contracts they would like to be rid of. Such a swap may not be outside the realm of possibility.
Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers have been looking for outfield help, having been linked to Nicholas Castellanos as their most recent target. Acquiring Wil Myers from the San Diego Padres could also make sense.
Likewise, the Rangers have another bad contract that they would like to part ways with. While Rougned Odor will always be a fan favorite for his overhand right to the jaw of Jose Bautista, he has regressed dramatically with the bat. With another $34 million due over the next three seasons, and a $13.5 million option for 2023, Odor’s contract, while expensive, is not as onerous as Myers’.
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Chances are, given the disparity in terms of the dollar amount between the two contracts, the Padres would need to add to the pot. In all likelihood, they would need to send some money over to Texas, a pitching prospect or two, or both.
Yet, Odor could be what the Padres need. He is still young, set to turn 26 years old in the coming days. Even as his batting average and OPS have fluctuated, he has still hit at least 30 homers in three of the past four seasons. Odor has also improved his walk rate in each of the past four seasons, even though his strikeout rate has risen accordingly.
Simulating a Mookie Betts to the Padres deal. dark. Next
The San Diego Padres have options when it comes to trading Wil Myers. The Texas Rangers could be an interesting possibility.