Wil Myers has decided to call it a career after 11 big league seasons, the longtime Padres first baseman/outfielder told MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell. While Myers stressed that he wouldn’t ever “officially” retire, he made his decision in June 2023 after he’d been released by the Reds and was dealing with some shoulder problems.
“I had a great career. I loved what I did. I made a lot of great friends. I have no regrets,” Myers said. “If you had told me the day I was drafted that this would be your career, I would’ve taken it in a heartbeat. I loved what I did, and now it’s just kind of onto the next chapter of life.”
Myers, who just recently turned 34, will hang up his glove after an even 1100 career games with the Rays, Padres, and Reds from 2013-23. Myers hit .252/.326/.437 with 156 home runs over 4290 plate appearances, good for a 107 wRC+ during his time in the Show. He spent the majority of his time in the field as a first baseman and right fielder, but also with a big chunk of time at the other two outfield positions and some time at third base (primarily in 2018, when the Padres had several first base/outfield types they were trying to fit into the lineup).
A third-round pick for the Royals in the 2009 draft, Myers quickly became one of baseball’s most highly-touted prospects, and made headlines before his MLB career even began due to his involvement in a blockbuster trade. In December 2012, the Royals sent Myers, Jake Odorizzi, Mike Montgomery, and third-base prospect Patrick Leonard to Tampa Bay in exchange for James Shields, Wade Davis, and Elliot Johnson. Kansas City’s farm system was viewed as deep enough that it could afford to move even a top prospect like Myers in exchange for win-now help, and the decision paid off — K.C. won the AL pennant in both 2014 and 2015, and Davis was one of the relief aces of the Royals’ 2015 World Series title team.
For the Rays, the deal paid some immediate dividends, as Myers won AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2013 on the strength of 13 homers and a .293/.354/.478 slash line over 373 plate appearances. However, Myers then battled wrist injuries and the sophomore slump in 2014, leading to his involvement in an even bigger trade. The Rays, Padres, and Nationals combined on a mammoth three-team, 11-player deal that is perhaps best remembered today as the swap that brought Trea Turner to Washington (and thus setting the table for the Nats’ 2019 World Series championship).
From Myers’ perspective, the deal kicked off an eight-year run in San Diego that was overall a success, albeit with plenty of ups and downs. Much of his time with the Padres is viewed through the lens of the six-year, $83MM extension he signed prior to the 2017 season, which at the time was the largest contract in San Diego franchise history. The big salary inevitably led to higher expectations that Myers didn’t entirely fulfill, as injuries and a propensity for strikeouts limited Myers’ production.
That said, Myers still had plenty of notable performances over the length of the deal. Myers was an All-Star in 2016, hit 30 homers during the 2017 season, and was one of the best hitters in baseball during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. That 2020 campaign was particularly notable since the Padres earned a wild card berth, marking San Diego’s first postseason appearance since 2006 and the official end of the team’s lengthy rebuild. Ironically, Myers’ contract made him difficult to trade amidst the Padres’ other cost-cutting moves, and as a result, Myers ended up being “the one player on hand for the entirety of the franchise’s turnaround,” Cassavell writes.
As the 2022 season rolled along, Myers became a part-time player and was again hampered by injuries, so it was no surprise when the Padres declined their $20MM club option on Myers’ services for the 2023 season. A free agent for the first time in his career, Myers landed in Cincinnati on a one-year deal worth $7.5MM in guaranteed money, but he hit only .189/.257/.283 in 141 PA over what will end up as his final season in the majors.
MLBTR congratulates Myers on a fine career and we wish him all the best in his post-playing endeavors.
Definitely somewhat of a “what could have been” in terms of talent, if he didn’t get hurt so much. But hey, a nice enough career, better than average, and got his 10 years of service time.
Agreed. He was definitely a streaky player, but man – when he was on a roll, he was a joy to watch.
Eleven years? Where did the time go?
Stull very valuable to the Pads in the sense he could play the infield and outfield spots.
Offered a good glove but a better bat. When he caught fire he was a treat to watch.
Overall wonderful Padre and man, he could have helped this year in lf or off the bench with this current squad.
Great dude!
Love ya Wil! You’re missed in SD but wish you the best!
Myers was a 3rd rounder who became an all-star, he exceeded expectations not fell short of them. His ROY stats would not have been top three in 2024 NL ROY and they boosted unreasonable expectations. He played to his ability and did well, except that last season with the Reds. He was 16th in MVP voting in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. On one respect, Myers reminds me of Cody Bellinger, a guy who everyone falsely assumes does not work hard. Not knowing either Myers or Bellinger personally, I assume that everyone who performs at that level works hard.
One of my favorite Padres of all time. Never forget when he bought a round of drinks for fans (about 200, including some of my colleagues) in Gaslamp downtown after the Pads beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLDS 2022.
I never saw anyone else so willing to give autographs in Peoria. My son has 3 or 4 signed balls and wasn’t one of the autograph hounds. Just Wil always popping out to sign for anyone standing around.
Seemed like a good guy with talent that either injury or maybe competitive drive (the “it” factor) as maybe a little low on the scale. Maybe never really found a good position on the field for him. I recall him volunteering for 3b because it was needed. He wasn’t good at all but kept running out there.
Also emergency catcher for SD. Just a good guy to have on the team.
I don’t think there was anyone more excited about that night than Wil. Cheers to Wil and to retirement
That was an epic night at Social Tap! Wil was bartending lmao
We all should’ve been buying rounds of drinks that night knocking those scumbags out of the playoffs. Wil seems like a good guy and congrats on a great career.
We’ll slay the dragon again, all in due time Mickey. LFGSD
2022 makes the 2024 World Series Championship all the sweeter! Thanks Padres!
Congrats Tiger, at least the West is represented well. Go Pads
He didnt pass away..he just retired
Retire in Peace lol
He made over 93 mil so he should be ok. Nice career but you have to wonder how good it could have been if he’d stayed healthier. Best to Wil in his future.
Why doesn’t he want to use the word “retire”? I doubt he plans to find another job or anything
Because most ultra-competitive pro athletes have a hard time walking away from a sport they love. It also leaves the door open if they want to make a comeback. Most don’t when they attempt to ramp up again. “Retire” is a piece of paper which can be submitted at any time.
Why do you doubt that? Don’t know anything about him?
I think, as YankeesBleacherCreature said- even though I can’t directly respond to them lol as usual – a lot of athletes who have stayed in shape, seen themselves produce somewhat even in their final big league season, hate the idea that their career ended because the league collectively decided their retirement as a player for them, rather than them deciding for themselves because a contract concluded and they figured to walk away or because they decided to stop competing for their own reasons.
Good for Wil. He made his money and from what I understand he gets to fully concentrate on his love for golf with his baseball career officially over.
Happy retirement, Wil! Injuries got the best of him but a terrific career nonetheless.
Good career, but I don’t think he lived up to his lofty prospect status. This is not to diminish him, but more to show that prospects are quite often hyped too much. This is why it almost makes sense to move a prospect, even a top 5 in the game, for help at the big league level. Sure it COULD bite you, but it definitely worked for the Royals. Without that trade, I doubt they go to the WS back to back.
His lofty prospect status earned him $93M for 13 WAR over 11 seasons. (I realize WAR isn’t the be all and end all, but Myers’ WAR pretty accurately tracks his career.) That’s generational wealth for marginal performance. Include the term ‘fortunate’ in any Myers’ biography.
I don’t care about his money. Why do you?
I’m quite pleased for you not to care about his money. That probably speaks volumes about your character.
I’ve already stated my reasons for bringing up his career earnings, but I’ll happily repeat myself if that helps.
I wish I could retire at 34. Good for him
If he wanted to play for the 2025 A’s, I wonder if they would sign him?
The 2021 Padres finished 79-83. That year I kept thinking that if they played Myers more and Eric Hosmer less, they might have broken even.
Not the A’s. But I would say whitesox & marlins sound more realistic
2 pretty good year in SD, then seems like no one would “just let him play”.
As a Padres season ticket holder, I watched him play like he was already retired…hahaha
No matter how bad he was, he always knew how to hurt us. .277/.364/.501 life time triple slash against the Diamondbacks. Thank you, Wil.
11 years in The Show with a career wRC+ over 100 is a really good career
Seems like he was linked to be traded to the Red Sox almost annually. Always tantalized by his raw talent. Had a great career. Also one of the “no batting gloves” throwbacks.
He started the tennis racket tape on the bat phase down here, too… and I think he had the first axe handle bat as well! One thing I know for sure- he was gifted Matt Stairs’ firstbaseman glove and kept passing it to all the other RH firstbasemen. It’s still with the team.
It’s for tales like that which keeps reminding me why I love baseball.
The Beautiful Game lives on, cheers Tommy.
I think Cro broke it last year on a ball that was hit so hard it went thru the webbing. Probably got repaired though.
Re-strung it like the finest Stradivarius! It lives!
Stradi-who-vius?
It’s like a fancy banjo or sumthin, Fins. Above my pay grade lol
It’s an old fiddle from Italy or someplace like that.
Matt Stairs? Lmao. I assume the glove still hasn’t been broken in yet.
Wil always had the batting stance and swing of a “real” ballplayer to me. Sort of a natural. And he didn’t wear batting gloves which I thought was cool. I guess he seemed like a throw-back, old school type player to me.
The way he phrased it as ending his playing but not officially retiring reminds me of how Brett Gardner walked away but had never officially retired, because it didn’t end on his terms. A lot of guys like that nowadays, unfortunately.
Another one like this is Brandon Belt- didn’t retire, just knew he wasn’t gonna get a major league opportunity and stopped trying to get another chance at the Big Show.
It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense or difference to a player who isn’t headed for a HoF ballot whether or not they call themselves retired.
Maybe not in regards to the HoF but I think psychologically there’s a lot of significance and a difference.
Not many people really want to call themselves retired at age 34, even if they are financially secure.
I actually think the opposite- In my humble, personal opinion, if I found myself ‘washed up’ from the game of baseball at age 34, but I had earned $83 million (oddly enough Wil Myers and Brett Gardner both earned approximately the same amount) I’d be proud to call myself ‘retired’ from having to work for a living, having earned around $40 million in cash after agents and taxes.
I get that virtually all these guys go on to do plenty of other stuff- they coach, they invest in businesses, they pursue non-baseball passions as a second career, they join front offices to become baseball execs of one kind or another- but to have effectively completed a full spectrum professional sports career and been paid tens of millions of dollars before having to walk away due to wear and tear resulting in diminishing productivity, would qualify as a proper kind of ‘retired’ in my mind, relative to that part of my life and career pursuits/goals.
More like MLB decided to call it a career for him because no team was willing to sign him.
Happens eventually to every player.
Happens to the best of us. I capped in AAA Indianapolis years ago… but I’m still not “retired” either haha
Dude AAA is not child’s play. That is a huge & cool accomplishment Gwynny, I didn’t know that about ya! I’m digging it.
Thanks Iggy… and whenever my Pads aren’t around, go Bucs! Lifelong Padre fan but “adopted” Pirate fan haha
It seems like NBA ROY winners wind up in the HOF about half the time. MLB ROY winners are often forgettable or “just a guy” which is what Wil Myers basically is.
Dynamite drop in, Monty!
El gallo
With the “awesome moss”!
Nice! 190th best right fielder in the history of the game.
Idk bro, I’d debate for 189th!
One more in the long list of Reds’ failed FA signings.
Yeah, somehow got the Reds to pay him $10 Million Dollars for three months work. Good riddance Wil, you won’t be missed.
Terrible player. Good riddance.
You said it, Chief. Aloha!
I’ll always remember the ALDS game at Fenway (my first playoff game I was able to attend in person) where he misplayed a ball in RF and the whole crowd started taunting him with “MY-ERS, MY-ERS.”
Dang. I remember that.
Rays traded him for that reason alone I truly believe that
In other words, the phone has stopped ringing.
Congratulations on a nice career. Goodluck on your future endeavors.
Seems like a genuinely good dude. Congrats on calling it a career!
Thanks for nothing Wil…a Red’s fan.
Royals turned Will Myers into Wade Davis who helped them win a World Series. Myers was a top prospect at the time and I did not like it for the Royals then but it was the right choice.
$93,047,900 for two good seasons. Sounds about right.
Easy guy to like, despite being on the wrong end of trading Trea Turner, and all the ups and downs. He’s always been nice to the fans. Him and his wife buying shots for fans in downtown San Diego after the 2022 NLDS victory over the Dodgers deserves to be the lasting memory.
Here’s to ya, Wil.
I will always respect him for not blaming the Fenway fans when he misplayed that fly ball while he was with the Rays. He could have easily blamed the fans, but took responsibility
WRONG Patrick Leonard linked!!!!!
I’m sure baseball can be a love/hate situation for a few MLB players. Wil has a life that he loves, with a wife, baby, and set of golf clubs that he loves. I wish Preller would invite him to Spring Training, as a uniformed coach/advisor. Let him get in a few AB’s in batting practices. Let him coach some of the kids. It would do both Wil and the Pads players a world of good. Maybe he stays around for 2-3 weeks, then gets back to his busy retired life on the golf course, or perhaps he and the team find common ground.
One of the reasons a lot of recently retired Padre start who have coaching chops, choose to accept a position as a GM advisor versus full time on the field coach, is that they can tailor their own work schedule. Full time baseball coaching at any level (i.e. minors/MLB level) is a gut busting, 9 or 10 month, 7 day a week job, with substantial travel. That’s tough for a young, family guy to justify. However, taking a half dozen trips to see the minor league teams for a week or a week-and-one-half, 2-3 times a season, is easier to support.
Then, maybe, JUST maybe, Wil gets his bare hands on a bat, starts driving bullets over the wall, and thinks “… maybe just ONE more season …” . There’s no better way to close the door on baseball than to spend maybe 1 last spring training in Peoria.
During an era of extremely overrated players, I thought that Myers was underrated.
Thanks for the fun watching you play, Will.
Thanks for the enjoyment in watching you play, Wil.
Pretty sure the league did this last winter when nobody signed him.
Congrats to him though, when he was healthy he had some good numbers but unfortunately that wasn’t very often
Got his signature at a Fan Fest in KC. Gave the baseball to my dad for a Father’s Day gift. Nice guy who will liekly go into media.
Always seemed he was homering against the Giants. Bye Will.