Padres: Could Wil Myers Finally Live Up to Contract as a DH?

We know there will be a universal DH in any type of 2020 season, but it’s likely to stick in the future. Could the San Diego Padres already have their DH of the future?

It’s coming, we all know it, but the San Diego Padres and the rest of the NL should go ahead and prepare for a universal DH.

The decision to put it in place for 2020 will lay the groundwork for it to become permanent in the future — most likely during the next collective bargaining agreement.

For the Padres, I think they already have some great internal options are in better shape than most to handle this transition.

But I think there is one player who could specifically benefit from a universal DH, and that’s Wil Myers.

All offseason we’ve been contemplating how to get rid of Myers and his huge contract. But with the DH, he suddenly becomes very valuable for San Diego.

Let’s first consider that Myers is average at best defensively in a corner outfield spot, and he had -10 DRS in center field last year.

And then consider that over his career he’s hit lefties and righties about the same — he’s actually hit better against righties as a right-handed hitter.

But if all he had to focus on was hitting, perhaps we see him start to excel a little more at the plate.

As I wrote earlier in the offseason, I was already predicting a solid 1-3 WAR year for Myers. If you take the defensive aspect of the equation, I think he could legitimately be a 3 WAR player as a DH hitting .250-.260 with 20-plus home runs.

I think he’ll still be overpaid at $22.5 million a year, but those numbers would make it a lot easier to swallow. And it would also make him a lot easier to trade next offseason when he’ll have just two guaranteed years left.

But if not, I still think he could be the future DH for the Padres and do a really good job. What are your thoughts on Myers as the team’s DH of the future? Let us know in the comments below.