Myers signs 1-year deal, strengthening Reds' outfield

CINCINNATI -- In a move that they hope addresses their need for both improved offense and an outfielder, the Reds signed outfielder/first baseman Wil Myers to a one-year, $7.5 million contract on Thursday.

Myers, 32, will earn $6 million in 2023 with a $1.5 million buyout on his mutual option for 2024. He could earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonus money and a $500,000 assignment bonus if he's traded during the upcoming season.

“He’s a quality outfielder who can hit, has some pop in the middle of your lineup," said general manager Nick Krall, who expected Myers to be regularly in right field. "He is a solid, everyday player. Obviously, he had some injuries last year but played well after that."

Myers is coming off an injury-plagued 2022 season in which he hit just seven home runs and posted a .713 OPS, his lowest since 2014. He missed two weeks with a right thumb contusion and two months because of right knee inflammation. After returning from the knee injury, he batted .295 with six homers in the final 28 games of the regular season but struggled in the postseason, going 3-for-29 (.103) with 13 strikeouts.

That led to Myers starting just two of the Padres' five games in their National League Championship Series loss to the Phillies.

"Obviously, coming off injuries, you want to come out and re-prove yourself," Myers said. "I’ve had a couple of years that have been a little down, so I want to be able to come out here and give myself a good chance to come out and have a nice year. I’m excited to be a part of this organization as well. They are up and coming, but as far as the elements there, it’s a great park to hit in, and I’m very excited to see what I could do there."

Once a highly touted prospect who began his career by winning the 2013 American League Rookie of the Year Award with the Rays, Myers spent the past eight seasons with the Padres. He was the club's longest-tenured player before San Diego declined his $20 million option following the season.

Myers is only two seasons removed from a 2020 campaign in which he hit .288 with a career-high .959 OPS en route to receiving a share of NL MVP votes. He was an All-Star in ‘16 and hit a career-high 30 homers in '17.

A resident of Charlotte, N.C., in the offseason, Myers was pleased to have his family within driving distance to Cincinnati. Professionally, he also knew Great American Ball Park should provide an opportunity to bolster his power numbers.

"I think it goes without saying that Cincinnati is a great place to hit," Myers said. "I like the city a lot. I've enjoyed my time there, but obviously, yes it is a nice draw. It's a place I was really looking at starting in free agency and was able to come to terms with something here, and I was able to get it done."

Myers also provides plenty of versatility, having started games at first base and all three outfield positions last season. He even made one appearance at third base and took the mound four times.

Overall, Myers has a .254/.329/.442 slash line with 153 home runs over 10 big league seasons between the Rays and the Padres.

With Myers in right field, it's likely that Jake Fraley, Nick Senzel, TJ Friedl and Stuart Fairchild could be mixed and matched at the other two outfield spots. Senzel can also play in the infield.

In a rebuilding situation since last season, the Reds have a lot of young players expected to be on their roster in 2023. Myers already experienced a rebuild in San Diego and also saw it culminate in that club becoming a contender. He believed his experience could benefit his new teammates.

"It was kind of cool to see the start of a rebuild and get to the finish. I know we didn’t reach our ultimate goal of a World Series, but I felt like we had a great run last year," Myers said. "Just offering that experience, trying to connect with some young players to give them some advice and find ways to improve their games. I think that’s very important. I think those are the things that go a long way for the future of organizations to be able to ultimately get to the playoffs and the World Series."