Padres may want to maximize trade value of Wil Myers
Credit: AP Photo
In this second of three possible trade scenarios, we look at the possibility of the San Diego Padres trading Wil Myers.
As previously investigated, San Diego could make a three-team trade with Miami and Pittsburgh to improve the 2021 version of the Padres.
The 2020 Major League Baseball off-season is underway, and A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres likely have more work to do. However, nothing stays the same as inevitable change, and expiring contracts, age, and changing contract value make the job of general manager a never-ending one.
The traditional two-team trade often works well, but sometimes teams simply can’t find common ground.
As the front office contemplates its off-season to-do list today, let’s explore the second of three three-team trades that could improve the Friars. Each centers around maximizing the work already done to improve the roster, valuing cost-effective decision-making that can lengthen the championship window, and keeping the farm intact.
Each trade is proposed with a “win-win” mentality. Each may need minor pieces to consummate a match, but in general, each team involved becomes better due to them.
TRADE #2: Enticing the Wealthy, New Owner
Here’s The Deal:
Rockies get: J.D. Davis (1/$2.3M + 3 arb years/FA 2025) and Wil Myers (2/$45M + club option/FA 2023)
Padres get: RP Edwin Diaz (1/$5.8M + arb year/FA 2023), OF Brandon Nimmo (1/$4.1 + arb year/FA 2023), OF Michael Conforto (1/$11.3M/FA 2022), Jeff McNeil (pre-arb/FA 2025)
Mets get: 3B Nolan Arenado (6/$199M/FA 2027)
In short, the Rockies avoid losing Arenado in a post-2021 opt-out and bring back two middle of the order pieces. Myers, who dominates at Coors, could return to first base there or stay in the outfield. The Padres, catalysts to such a deal, get a high leverage closer, a versatile, cheap on-base machine, and skilled, left-handed outfielders, all at very reasonable costs. Conforto (.322/.412/.515 and a .927 OPS in 2020) can approximate or replace Myers’ productivity, and Nimmo gives the Padres a favorable replacement to resigning Jurickson Profar. Look at his 2020 numbers: eight home runs, a .280/.404/.484 slash line, and a .888 OPS. McNeil (.311/.383./.454 and a .836 OPS) gives the Padres a potential lead-off man. Diaz, who has struggled at times in the Big Apple, had a 1.75 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 25 and ⅔ innings this season.
The Mets’ new ownership brings in the new armada’s flagship piece, pairing him with corner-mate Pete Alonso as one of the most devastating right-handed power duos in the game. Arenado gives up his opt-out as part of the deal. The Mets will reshape their entire roster with a new stamp of approval, and this trade signals the scope of it as they give up excellent players but ones who lack long-term deals with the team.
The Padres’ angle?
Wil’s value is high now, and this move avoids an unlikely cratering while bringing back a comparable outfield piece (Conforto), albeit with one fewer year of control. The Mets had one of the best offenses in the game in 2020, and the Padres acquire two controllable, depth pieces that lengthen the lineup overall and create a playoff-contending bench with some pop and versatility. It could even allow them to move a few pieces for other needs if they’d rather. The Padres also add a reasonable but potentially dominating closer, and maybe most importantly, they buy a ticket out of the division for one of the game’s greatest players.
Imagine a lineup of McNeil, Tatis, Jr., Conforto, Machado, Hosmer, Nola, Cronenworth, Pham, and Grisham. Imagine dropping Diaz into the closer role and watch him return to “Mariner” form. Now, imagine that those four additions would cost approximately a net equal to Myers’ singular contract. There would be money to sign a starter and sign/re-sign bullpen pieces.
The Mets get their star to peddle around Gotham City. The Rockies added a return that keeps their Rocky Mountain High offense fueled. The Padres gain an even greater chance at glory.
Sometimes, two teams can’t link up to make a deal where both teams walk away feeling fairness and equitability. Sometimes, it takes three teams to make the ideal swap, finding valued improvements for all parties. Risk plays a role in all deals, but this second deal gives the Padres a significantly better outlook heading into 2021.
M. Robert Klemesrud, born and currently residing in the great state of Iowa, is an educator of 25 years. Having studied journalism at the University of Iowa, played baseball in the Missouri Valley, and followed the Padres religiously for over 30 years, he has found the perfect place to align some of his passions at East Village Times.
Why would the Mets do this? Arenado is owed a boatload of money, is now thirty (closer to decline), has a bum shoulder, and stunk in 2020. The Mets wouldn’t do any one of those guys straight up for Arenado. He has negative value at this point.
Try plugging these made-up deals into the trade simulator before you publish stuff like this…
https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trade-simulator/
Omg, this is even crazier than the Hosmer idea.
The Mets are supposed to give up 3 players who hit like all stars in 2020 for the privilege to overpay Arenado? Unless Sandy Alderson has suddenly gone nuts, there is just no way that will happen.
As for trading Myers and his bloated salary for Conforto, Nimmo and MacNeil, come on man. We are not up in your tree house smoking dope.
I like this trade much better than the first trade you theorized. Then if we could bring in Archer or Lester to bolster the starting pitching , that may take some pressure off of Paddack. If that trade were to fall through don’t forget the possibility of bringing in David Peralta or Joc Pederson for that third outfielder we will be in need of. Padre future is looking good if we can stay healthy, of course.