The San Diego Padres have reportedly put first baseman Wil Myers on the trade block, which is a wise move for the struggling franchise.
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Report: Padres Willing to Deal Myers
Thursday, June 16
Per Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, the Padres are “open” to trading Myers, and teams “have been eyeing” the 25-year-old.
Heyman did not mention specific teams that have checked in on Myers, nor did he say that any potential deal is imminent.
The Padres opened the trading season by dealing James Shields to the Chicago White Sox on June 4, though that was just about getting rid of a struggling veteran because the White Sox are only paying $27 million of the $58 million still remaining on the right-hander’s contract.
Myers is a player who could bring the Padres real talent back. He is having a solid season with a .281/.321/.504 slash line, 28 extra-base hits in 65 games and is a solid defender at first base with two defensive runs saved, per FanGraphs.
In addition to Myers’ numbers, the Padres can increase their asking price for him because he’s under team control through 2019.
The biggest key for Myers is health. He’s never played in more than 88 games since debuting in 2013, but the former American League Rookie of the Year has missed just two games so far this season.
The Padres are on the decline, sitting in the National League West cellar and even being blasted on the radio by their own executive chairman.
San Diego tried to speed up its rebuilding process by spending a lot of money before last season to acquire Myers, Shields, Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Craig Kimbrel. It didn’t work, and now is the time to go back to the drawing board.
Trading Myers wouldn’t sit well with a frustrated fanbase, but if he can bring back two high-level prospects, it’s a good strategy to at least explore making a move before the August 1 deadline.
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