Toronto Blue Jays Discussing Jay Bruce Trade with Mets
The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly discussed acquiring outfielder Jay Bruce from the New York Mets.
According to ESPN analyst Jim Bowden, the Toronto Blue Jays have reached out to the New York Mets to discuss a potential trade for outfielder Jay Bruce. Bruce, who turns 30 in April, would serve as an option for a left-handed platoon with Melvin Upton Jr.
In Jay Bruce, the Blue Jays would receive an outfielder who brings a serious amount of power. He slugged 33 bombs last season, and has launched at least 20 home runs in all but one of his seasons. Beyond the long ball, Bruce typically posts high power totals across the board, as evidenced by his .219 isolated power.
To go along with these figures, he has been hit or miss with his ability to reach base. While he batted .250 last year, he struggled greatly in the prior two seasons. He walks a decent amount, but his contact rates are certainly subpar. The outfielder typically makes contact with three-quarters of all swings. Although this is not a problem yet, it probably will evolve into an issue as he ages and loses his affinity for the home run.
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Should the Blue Jays follow through with the trade to use him as a platoon player, they would acquire his services for a relatively sizable amount. The Cincinnati Reds inked the lefty to a six-year contract with an option back in 2010. Although he is only under contract for one more year, he will make $13 million – a large sum for anyone who will not play full-time. It is entirely possible that the New York Mets could eat some of his salary, but that would almost certainly increase the prospect capital required to facilitate a trade.
Still, Bruce could provide enough value to make such a deal favorable. In 420 plate appearances against righties last season, he batted .262 with a .546 slugging percentage. He did much more damage with the long ball against righties as well, slugging 27 home runs opposite them. This trend tracks well throughout history, as he has always thrived against right-handed pitchers.
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If the New York Mets were to trade him this offseason, he would only have spent half a year on their team. They acquired the outfielder from the Cincinnati Reds on the first of August in exchange for Dilson Herrera and Max Wotell. Unfortunately for them, Bruce greatly unperformed his first-half totals. Given his depressed value, it could be better for the Mets if they wait until next season’s trade deadline to send him elsewhere.