Before hitting the disabled list in mid-June (sore right hip, plantar fasciitis), New York Mets outfielder-turned-part-time-first-baseman Jay Bruce was not looking like a player who just signed a three-year, $39 million deal after a career year the previous season.
In spring training, when he was informed of the decision that the team would like to use him at first, Bruce took it in stride and bit the bullet. When it became public that he was dealing with a degenerative (unless treated) condition in plantar fasciitis, the Mets did not immediately send him to the disabled list. I’m no expert, but can’t be a great way to protect your investment.
After struggling mightily through the first two-and-a-half months of the season to the tune of a .212/.292/.321 slash line with just three home runs, 17 runs batted in, and 48 strikeouts in 212 at-bats, Bruce finally got the break he so obviously needed.
After spending over two months on the sideline, Jay Bruce returned to the Mets on August 24 at home versus the Nationals. His two-run homer propelled the Metsies to a 3-0 win that night behind Jason Vargas‘ six-inning, eight strikeout performance.
The 31-year-old Texan wasn’t the only guy to spark himself back into prominence that night. Vargas has a 3.08 earned-run average with 31 strikeouts, seven walks, and four wins since August 24.
As for Jay Bruce, since that Friday night at Citi Field, he’s gone on a streak that’s produced numbers that are much more in-line with the player the Mets chose to invest such a large dollar amount to.
Heading into Saturday, over his last 25 games (22 starts, 83 at-bats), Bruce has six home runs, five doubles, 18 RBI, and a .265/.351/.541 slash line. While this is certainly a small sample size, it gives this writer a bit more confidence that whatever was ailing the 31-year-old was severely holding him back.
Now that he’s appeared to move past that valley, this type of productivity would be an awfully nice addition to next year’s lineup. It could also be viewed as the perfect opportunity for the team to explore the possibility of trading Bruce in the offseason.
They’d likely need to eat a large chunk of his hefty salary to get back anything of value from interested teams, but there’s a flip side to that coin.
By moving Bruce after his value has been replenished (just eight games left; keep it going, big guy), it would open up two logjams at two different positions. As difficult as trading him may be, it is possible to make a deal work. The Mets would likely have to eat a substantial portion of Bruce’s remaining $26 million to find a taker or get anything back of real value in return.
Juan Lagares will be back next season and figures to have at least a part-time role in the 2019 Mets outfield. His bat seemed to be catching up to his fielding prowess through spring training and before his season ended abruptly in April (toe surgery). He could, theoretically, be just the man for the job in centerfield.
The Mets could also choose to go the free agent route to find a true center fielder, but the options are limited as A.J. Pollock is the only elite option out there, and he has had some serious injury issues over the last year.
Oh, and of course, there’s the Mets first-base situation. Dominic Smith is slashing .244/.277/.444 in limited playing time (45 at-bats) since his recall on Sept 4. He’s had his high points at both the plate and in the field when given the opportunity, showing just how talented this 23-year-old is, as well as the potential height of his MLB ceiling.
Then we have Mets prospect Peter Alonso, who absolutely crushed his way through MiLB this season. He hit to the tune of a .285/.395/.579 slash line with 36 home runs, 119 RBI, and 31 doubles in 132 games split between Double-A Binghamton (65 games) and Triple-A Las Vegas (67 games).
Alonso, also 23, was not called up by the team when rosters expanded. He’s set to play in the instructional Arizona Fall League, which opens their season on October 9. Although that could be viewed as a slight to the player, it’s clear to see that beyond Super Two implications, Alonso is a talented player and some fine-tuning really couldn’t hurt the situation.
With Smith and Alonso both rapidly approaching MLB-ready status, Jay Bruce, while playing the position competently, should in no way, shape, or form be viewed as the Mets first-baseman heading into the offseason.
With the combination of Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, Lagares, and any other sensible additions this team may make to their outfield, Bruce could realistically be a fit if he does stick around. As long as he keeps swinging the bat like he has since returning to the team, and can provide the team with average (or even a little below average) outfield play, that could work.
Any way you slice it, this is a sticky situation and the right-or-wrong-move won’t likely be revealed until well after the scenario has played itself out. Tough decisions ahead, folks.
