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The Padres begin a season-ending nine-game homestand tonight against the Dodgers. And, believe it or not, these might be the last nine games Wil Myers plays for the Padres at Petco Park.
 
Only, don't tell him that.
 
"If I'm being honest, I really don't want to make it too sentimental," Myers said. "I've obviously been very thankful to be in San Diego. I've loved my time in San Diego. It may have been different if it were different circumstances, if we weren't where we are in the standings. But the last nine games coming back home are the most meaningful nine games I've played as a Padre. So I'm not going home in a sentimental way. It's, 'Hey, we've got to get this job done.'"

Myers arrived via trade in December 2014. He was a hometown All-Star in '16. He signed a then-record-setting extension in '17. And he watched as the franchise went from perennial also-ran to contender.

He’s seen it all as a Padre, and it’s clear he appreciates the franchise’s transformation as much as anyone in that clubhouse. But the six-year extension Myers signed in 2017 carried a seventh-year team option worth $20 million -- and the team is almost certain to decline it.

Myers is under no illusions about his performance since signing that contract. He's been worth 7.2 WAR in those six seasons. In his eight years with the Padres, he's batted .253/.329/.450 -- decent numbers, but below expectations. (Not to mention, the Padres get a reminder of what they dealt for Myers: Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner.)

"I think most people would agree I haven't played up to exactly what I thought or what San Diego thought I could do," Myers said. "But getting this team in the playoffs, if this is my last year, that would mean a lot for me -- from a personal standpoint, but also playing in San Diego and what it means for this organization."

When Myers signed that contract, he was the focal point of the franchise. Now? He's more of a utility player than anything else. He can fill in at all three outfield spots and play first base.

Still, Myers is an important piece on a team with designs on making the playoffs. He says he hasn’t let his mind wander to what comes next this offseason, only to note that he’ll be interested in “exploring the opportunities that are out there and making the right decision for me and my wife.”

That’s as far as he’ll go on that subject. There are more important topics at hand. Namely, the biggest homestand of Myers’ tenure.

“It’s not sentimental -- it’s exciting more than anything, because these are the biggest nine games I’ve played as a Padre,” Myers said. “Maybe after the last out of that last game, I will think differently about that. But coming back home, there’s really no thought of that. It’s just the thought of getting it done these last nine games. Getting this team into the playoffs in my last year here would be really, really cool.”