The Mets have re-signed Yoenis Cespedes, so all can rejoice. All, that is, with the exception of right fielder Jay Bruce. The return of Cespedes has all but guaranteed that Bruce will be on the move in the near future, so lets’ talk about what the Mets can expect to get for him and where he might go.
The fact of the matter is that Bruce, 29, is a good player who just plain does not have a place on the Mets. He will make $13 million wherever he ends up, and that will be a bargain if he hits 30 home runs with 95 RBIs as he is certainly capable of, as he has done four times already.
The three-time All Star and two-time Silver Slugger did not seem to enjoy his time in orange and blue, hitting only .219 with eight home runs and 19 RBIs after his midseason acquisition. However, he still finished the year with 33 home runs, 99 RBIs, and six triples making him as big a threat at the plate as ever. He should end up being a hot commodity this offseason, and here are Metsmerized’s predictions of where he will end up:
Toronto Blue Jays
After having 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion and RF Jose Bautista elect free agency, the Blue Jays have over 80 home runs to replace. They already brought in DH Kendrys Morales on a 3-year $33 million contract, and with Justin Smoak and Chris Colabello available to play first base, it seems like they will shift their attention to right field.
Jay Bruce would be a great fit in the middle of their lineup with Josh Donaldson, Kendrys Morales, and Troy Tulowitzki, and they know that. Chris Cotillo reports that the Blue Jays are “making a push” for Bruce, as he would be a lot cheaper (and younger) than bringing back Bautista.
In return, the Mets could ask for reliever Danny Barnes. The 27 year-old pitched 13.2 innings for the Blue Jays in 2016, striking out 14 batters and recording a 3.95 ERA. However, in a minor league career spanning six seasons, he pitched to a 2.39 ERA, striking out an impressive 422 batters in 320.1 innings. He relies primarily on a fastball and slider combination, sounds like some Warthen could help get even better.
He could immediately bolster the Mets bullpen, and if the Jays were to add a high-level prospect to the deal, it could be a good haul for the Mets. Another player to keep an eye on his right-handed pitcher Joe Biagini who can start and relieve. Biagini dials his fastball up to 96 MPH, throws a hard slider at 90, while also throwing a curveball and changeup.
The Jays have also been linked to free agent Dexter Fowler, but as they already have the Gold Glove-caliber Kevin Pillar in center field, signing a corner guy like Bruce makes much more sense.
The last time the Mets and Blue Jays dealt with each other, it ended up working out pretty well for the Mets. They sent R.A. Dickey and Josh Thole to Toronto for Noah Syndergaard, Wuilmer Becerra and Travis d’Arnaud.
Baltimore Orioles
Jay Bruce going to the Orioles would be contingent on whether or not they bring back slugger Mark Trumbo, as currently they do not have a right fielder.
In return for Bruce, the Mets would love to get either a late inning reliever or some prospects to replenish the farm system. The Orioles could offer someone who can fill the 7th inning in front of Addison Reed and Jeurys Familia, and that’s little-known RHP Mychal Givens.
After posting a 2.75 ERA and 9.6 K/9 rate in the minor leagues, Givens was called up in 2015 and pitched 30 innings for the Orioles, striking out 38 batters and posting a 1.80 ERA. He earned his spot on the 2016 roster and didn’t disappoint, going 8-2 with a 3.13 ERA. In 74.2 innings he struck out 96 batters, good for an 11.6 K/9 rate, up from the 11.4 he posted in 2015.
As the Mets have nothing to lose by trading Bruce and plenty to gain, bringing in a guy like Givens would be a great haul. He is only 26 years old and has five more years under team control.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners currently have Seth Smith patrolling right field. While he is very consistent, as you can bet you’ll get about 15 HRs and 50 RBIs out of him every year, he is an average corner outfielder at best. In left field they have 24 year-old rookie Ben Gamel who has yet to see any ABs in the Show, and has a .288/.345/.404 batting line spanning seven Minor League seasons.
The Mariners, though, plan on being contenders, so those two just aren’t going to cut it. Having dealt for infielder Danny Valencia late last season and shortstop Jean Segura more recently, they have been racking up some good players to make a push in the AL West. A player like Bruce would certainly help solidify them as a contender.
They have a few relievers that the Mets would find very appealing. They have acting closer Edwin Diaz who saved 18 games last seasons. The righty had a 2.79 ERA, striking out 88 batters In 51.2 innings, good for an impressive 15.3 K/9.
They also have former Marlins closer Steve Cishek. While he is a bit more expensive, owed $6 million in 2017, he has proven himself as an effective late-inning reliever. He saved 25 games for the Mariners in 2016, posting a 2.81 ERA in 64 innings while striking out 76.
The righty has 120 saves in his career, so adding him into the mix with Addison Reed (106 career saves) and Jeurys Familia (100 career saves) gives the Mets a lot of experience in high-pressure situations. They would make for a solid 7-8-9 punch at the end of games.
Included in Jay Bruce’s contract is a limited no-trade clause, meaning he can veto any trades to the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians and Arizona Diamondbacks. I don’t see that as an issue, though, as most of those teams are either in selling mode or do not need a right fielder.
The Yankees could want Bruce, but judging by his apprehension about going to New York at the deadline, I doubt he would waive his NTC.
It is possible the Mets keep Jay Bruce. The Mets have the option to trade either him, Curtis Granderson, or even Michael Conforto if they wanted. However, if they were to trade Bruce, it is most likely that he will go to one of the above teams.
