Sandy Alderson said that the New York Mets current payroll is tolerable according to Adam Rubin of ESPN. During the same conversation the Mets GM said that Jay Bruce and his $13 million salary still being on the roster doesn’t necessarily stop the Mets from adding a free agent reliever.
The free agent reliever market still includes Jerry Blevins, Fernando Salas, Sergio Romo, Joe Blanton, Greg Holland, Neftali Feliz and many others that could presumably help the Mets bullpen in the upcoming season.
Previous Report – Jan 6
In a new report from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, one “rival GM” says the New York Mets should have declined the $13 million option on Jay Bruce. He also asserts that not only is Bruce in low demand now, but he was also in low demand when the Mets acquired him for Dilson Herrera and Max Wotell at the trade deadline.
Based upon the statements from this rival GM, Rosenthal speculates the Mets will likely have to include cash in any potential Bruce trade. Moreover, Rosenthal states that even with the Mets including money in a deal, the return for Bruce is still likely to be minimal.
It should be noted that earlier this offseason Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported the Mets were not interested in eating any of Bruce’s or Curtis Granderson‘s contract as part of any trade. At the time of this report, the Mets were rumored to have been involved in trade discussions with the Orioles. Earlier today the Orioles traded for left-handed hitting outfielder Seth Smith.
Even with this latest bit of bad news on the Bruce trade front, the Mets picking up his $13 million option has served a purpose. According to one Mets official, picking up his option did give them insurance in the event they lost Yoenis Cespedes and also gave the Mets some leverage in contract negotiations. “When you buy insurance, it doesn’t come for free,” said the Mets official.
