San Diego Padres: Wil Myers Doesn’t Need To Go Anywhere

While there’s a growing percentage of the San Diego Padres fan base who believe Wil Myers should be traded, there’s no need to move on from him.

Watching Saturday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks was extremely tough to watch. The San Diego Padres eventually fell by a score of 20-5, as the Diamondbacks set a franchise record for runs scored in a nine-inning game. That was the main storyline and the main takeaway from the game, not what Wil Myers did.

For the first time in his career, Myers hit three home runs in one game. Again, that wasn’t the biggest news that came out of that game. It was the fact that the loss was the biggest loss by a team who had a player hit three home runs in one game. Instead of celebrating the return of Wil Myers, fans blasted the Padres for yet another night of the offense (as a whole) refusing to show up. The criticism is FULLY deserved, it just sucks that it overshadowed such a cool moment.

Since that night, Myers has gone 3-12 with two home runs, two runs driven, and two runs scored in two games. He also stole two bases in the process. As announced during last night’s game, Myers is the third Padres’ player ever to hit five home runs in a three-game stretch.

Myers has a role with the San Diego Padres.

Sure, the injuries that have limited his playing time to 27 games this year may have been brought on by poor offseason decisions and he’s coming off a 1.0 WAR season in which he hit .243, however, getting rid of him doesn’t seem necessary.

Myers will make just over $5 million next season. Quite the bargain for a player who can knock 20+ doubles and 20+ home runs per season, while also stealing 20+ bases.

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The problem comes up in 2020, when Myers is due $22.5 million. As of current numbers, that would make him the 20th highest paid player in the league (even with the few big FA signings that are sure to happen over the next year or so, Myers will be paid near the top of the scale). That’s according to Spotrac, so I’m entrusting their numbers here.

San Diego has very few financial obligations after this season, outside of Eric Hosmer. Unless you believe they are going all in on the Bryce Harper or Manny Machado sweepstakes (eh, rather spend the money on 2-3 good starters), spending $22 million for Wil Myers isn’t an issue, especially if he can overcome this year’s injuries and continue to be the steady, above-average (not elite, but solidly above-average) player he is.

Other than Fernando Tatis, Jr, many of the top prospects in the system don’t have a big power tool. Myers can be the power threat in the middle of the lineup and fall back to the big personalities who are up and coming to the major leagues.

Wil Myers isn’t’ a superstar, however,  he’s a well-above-average major leaguer. Since joining the Padres, he’s reached a 7.0 WAR, hasn’t posted a wRC+ under 109, and has been one of the few players on the roster who has had success getting on base.

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If the Padres bring in another power bat in free agency or position themselves to put together a competent lineup without Myers’ production, the team can look to move him next year, before the salary spike takes place. Until then, Wil Myers has a role with this team, both now and in the future.