The San Diego Padres have made a significant splash this winter in acquiring Matt Kemp from the Dodgers, and they’ve sniffed around some other bats (Yasmany Tomas, Justin Upton, Pablo Sandova) as well. But San Diego’s latest potential venture in the trade market is one that I don’t think anyone saw coming – the team is reportedly discussing a blockbuster trade with the Tampa Bay Rays that would center around 2013 AL Rookie of the Year Wil Myers.
Sources: #Padres, #Rays discussing significant trade. Talks involve a number of players. Wil Myers would be main piece going to SD.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 16, 2014
Not known if SD-TB trade is close. Would involve some of #Padres’ better prospects and likely take them out of Justin Upton sweepstakes.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 16, 2014
The Rays acquired Myers from the Royals as part of the James Shields/Wade Davis trade before the 2013 season. In his rookie year of 2013, the now 24-year old hit .293/.354/.478 with 13 homers in 88 games, collecting 23 first place votes and coasting to the AL Rookie of the Year award. But in 2014, he played in just 87 games, hit six homers, and posted a poor .222/.294/.320 line. Myers also missed nearly three months of the season because of a fractured wrist.
This trade might not be all that close to happening, but it certainly would create waves across the game. Imagine getting Myers in a ballyhooed trade, and then moving him for prospects, two years and 175 games later?
