NL West Notes: Pads sign Myers long-term, Rockies ink Arenado

The Padres took a major step Friday in maintaining the overall capability of their lineup, by ensuring that perhaps their best hitter will be in San Diego long-term.

San Diego signed Wil Myers to a 6-year, $80 million deal that is split into two parts: the first three years will be arbitration-based, while the last three will designate Myers as a free agent. Either way, the Friars are eating up the contract of a player that will do far more good than bad for a team floundering at the bottom of their division.

Myers smoked 28 homers and 94 RBI for the Padres in 2016, and appeared in 157 games.

Here's what else is happening around the National League West:

The Colorado Rockies have inked slugger Nolan Arenado to a two-year deal worth a reported $29.5 million. Following the 2019 season, Arenado is set to become a free agent. Arenado emerged as one of the top home run hitters in baseball this past season, knocking 43 home runs while also hitting a remarkable .294 as well. Arenado also managed to appear in 160 games in 2016, proving that power and durability could lead to perennial MVP contention at high-altitude Coors Field.

The Dodgers traded young Micah Johnson to the Atlanta Braves this week. Johnson was moved in an effort to reserve a spot on the roster for newly-signed Kenley Jensen. Johnson played in just seven games for the Dodgers in 2016, but made a serious statement at Triple-A Oklahoma City during the Pacific Coast League postseason, providing timely hits at the top of the lineup. Johnson figures to find more playing time in Atlanta, for a club that is young and coming off an ugly season.

An old name is returning to the NL West, but not to the Rockies. Catcher Chris Iannetta has agreed to a 1-year deal with the Diamondbacks. Iannetta was a consistent hitter for Colorado from 2006-11, and also put in three efficient years in Anaheim. However, last year was a challenge for the 33-year-old, as Iannetta hit just .210 for Seattle. Iannetta will take a pay cut of a bit less than $3 million, but this move gives him a chance to stay in the show, particularly for an organization that was looking for a role-filler. Iannetta brings experience that this Arizona team desperately needs.

A standoff of sorts is ending in San Francisco. The Giants have settled with Conor Gillaspie, on a one-year, $1.4 million deal. Gillaspie hit .260 for the Giants in 2016, but is best remembered for his go-ahead, three-run homer to break a 0-0 tie against the Mets in the NL Wild-Card playoff. Now that he's inked, Gillaspie figures to be a key player off the bench for Bruce Bochy, providing depth as the team continues to search for that elusive superstar.