New York Mets outfielder Jay Bruce spoke to the media in Port St. Lucie on today and one of the things he said was that the front office told him to be ready to be the everyday right fielder.
The Mets seem intent on keeping the veteran outfielder (for now) after having shopped him most of the offseason which would clear up the outfield logjam and presumably shed some of his $13 million salary for this season.
Instead, the Mets didn’t find any offers they liked and will head into spring training action with left-handed hitting corner outfielders Curtis Granderson and Michael Conforto vying for playing time alongside Bruce.
Yesterday, manager Terry Collins mentioned that Bruce could also get some reps at first base this spring and here is what Bruce said about that, “If they want me to do it I will bust my ass to do it the best I can.” He went on to mention that the team has yet to approach him about playing at first.
Bruce, who’s no stranger to trade rumors, “I refuse to be a distraction in the clubhouse.” The Reds had put him on the trading block for the past few seasons before actually trading him to the Mets in August of last year for Dilson Herrera and Max Wotell.
Right now the Mets starting outfield looks like Yoenis Cespedes in left field, Granderson in center field (with Juan Lagares against lefties) and Bruce in right field. Which could mean that Conforto goes back to Triple-A and awaits his chance.
