Over the years Padres fans have grown accustomed to one of two things:
Either star players reach a certain point of their careers when they are going to earn a big payday and get traded away instead of being productive in San Diego (Exhibit A: Adrian Gonzalez) …
OR
Players who show some potential are given long-term deals far too soon and don’t live up to them (Exhibit B: Jedd Gyorko).
It looks like the Padres are getting one right with Wil Myers.
The 26-year-old All-Star 1st baseman is on the brink of signing a long-term contract extension to stay in San Diego (I guess we could say NOT relocate). The talks are reportedly in the 6-year, $80 million range, which is a good deal for both sides given the current state of baseball’s economic climate.
“The biggest thing for both ends is openness,” said Padres General Manager A.J. Preller on Friday night. “There’s a want for Wil to be here. There’s a want for him to be a guy that’s with the Padres through the heart of his career. Still nothing finalized but trying to work towards something here in the next week.”
Myers had the best offensive season for a right-handed hitting Padre in the Petco Park era, clubbing 28 home runs with 94 RBI, 28 doubles and stealing 28 bags. Myers was the cleanup hitter for the National League in the All-Star game and became a fan favorite.
Speaking of guys Padres fans love, Yangervis Solarte isn’t going anywhere.
The Padres signed the 29-year old infielder to a two-year deal with two club options. Last season Solarte hit .286 with 15 home runs, 71 RBI and 55 runs scored. In September he went on a career-best 14-game hit streak.
Solarte was also awarded the Tony Conigiliaro Award that goes to the Major Leaguer who overcomes adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage. In September the Venezuela native lost his wife Yuliette to cancer.
Solarte came to the Padres from the Yankees in a 2014 trade that sent Chase Headley to the Bronx.
On Friday the Padres also avoided salary arbitration with four players. Pitchers Carter Capps, Christian Friedrich, Brad Hand and Brandon Maurer all agreed to one-year contracts.
