The San Diego Padres have emerged as serious contenders with some of the biggest names in baseball, but their recent success contrasts starkly with a decade of struggles. Throughout those challenging years, one constant was slugger Wil Myers. Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays, where he was a top prospect and Rookie of the Year, Myers spent eight seasons with the Padres, providing consistent power on a team that often lacked offensive firepower in the competitive NL West.
With the arrivals of stars like Juan Soto and Manny Machado, Myers’ role diminished. Acknowledging the changing landscape, Myers decided to end his tenure with the Padres and has signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds, a young NL Central team. This move may seem surprising since the Reds are not yet contenders, but playing every day in Cincinnati’s hitter-friendly ballpark could rejuvenate Myers’ career.
Wil Myers, a key figure in the Padres’ resurgence, hit 134 home runs over his eight seasons in San Diego. His tenure included highlights such as an All-Star selection in 2016 and hitting 58 home runs combined in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He also played a significant role in helping the Padres regain relevance. However, the past few years have been less productive for Myers. He finished 16th in MVP voting during the COVID-shortened season but hit just 24 home runs in 223 games afterward. Despite maintaining an above-average OPS+, his power declined, prompting the Padres to move on.
By joining the Reds, Myers has the opportunity to revive his performance in a favorable hitting environment while providing veteran leadership to a young team. This situation offers Myers a chance to regain his form, potentially leading to a midseason trade to a contender.
Wil Myers deserves the opportunity to compete for a championship after enduring many tough seasons with the Padres. Whether through roster improvements or a trade, Cincinnati might be able to offer Myers that chance.