You, me, everyone. We all expected Jay Bruce to be playing for one of 29 other teams by Spring Training. Perhaps the only team that seemed implausible was the New York Mets. And yet, due to a surprisingly weak offseason market for power hitters, Bruce remained a Met much to the surprise of everyone, including Bruce himself.
As Bruce told Bob Nightengale of USA Today, “The whole time I just assumed I was being traded. Honestly, the way everything went down, I did not think I would be back. Not to sound like a jerk, but I knew I was going to be the opening-day right fielder somewhere. But I’m definitely glad it’s back here. Believe me, I’m very, very happy to be back.”
And if Bruce produces to his old standards, the Mets will be happy to have him back. Despite his struggles in a Mets uniform last season, he has proven to be an effective hitter over the course of his major league career.
In every single season Bruce has played over 150 games, he has hit 30 home runs. When he’s at his best, he is capable of putting up a .350 OBP. He’s a three time All Star, including being named an All Star just last year prior to being traded to the Mets.
Unfortunately, no one saw that player once he came to New York. Rather, Bruce struggled with the Mets more than he had ever struggled in his career. In his 50 games with the Mets, he only hit .219/.294/.391 with eight homers and 19 RBI.
For his part, Bruce isn’t blaming the pressure of playing in New York saying, “There was so much stuff that absolutely wasn’t true about me being overwhelmed by the city. That had nothing to do with it.”
Bruce’s explanation for his lack of production was pretty straightforward. “I went into a slump, and couldn’t get out of it. It’s not because it was New York City. It’s baseball. It happens.”
Lost in that slump was the hot stretch Bruce had to end the season. In his final eight games, he hit .480/.536/1.000 with four homers and eight RBI.
Bruce’s hitting coach Kevin Long certainly believes he can succeed in 2017. Last year, Long saw a player that was swinging at too many pitches out of the zone and was likely pressing to do too much for a new team in a pennant race. This Spring, Bruce has refined his approach, and according to Long, he’s “seeing a different guy now.”
It could be that the Mets may finally see the Jay Bruce they sought to obtain at the trade deadline last year. They may finally get that 30 home run hitter who is capable of putting up a .350 OBP. Whether, he is needed in right field or first base, which he’s willing to play if needed, Bruce can be a difference maker in a lineup that can be full of difference makers. If everyone is clicking on all cylinders, Bruce included, anything is possible.
Bruce has high hopes for the season. “To win a World Series now, and to do it in New York City, can you imagine how special that would be? I’ve got a feeling this is going to be an awesome year.”
