Update – 9:56 AM
Mike Puma of the New York Post reports the Mets have changed their focus away from Jonathan Lucroy and are now more focused on Jay Bruce as the Reds asking price for Bruce is much lower than the Brewers asking price for Lucroy.
According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the Mets are actively involved in negotiations with the Cincinnati Reds for Jay Bruce. As of right now, the Mets known competition for Bruce are the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants.
There is some reason for optimism for the Mets being able to acquire Bruce as Jayson Stark of ESPN is reporting the Dodgers and Giants discussions with the Reds are in slow motion.
Update – July 31
With catcher Jonathan Lucroy now off the table after being dealt by the Brewers to the Indians late Saturday night, the Mets have stepped up their efforts to land Reds outfielder Jay Bruce according to Matt Ehalt of the Bergen Record.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports says the Mets have continued to maintain interest in Bruce and are engaged in discussions to acquire the Cincinnati slugger. Rosenthal adds the Mets would likely use Bruce everyday in right field while Michael Conforto and Curtis Granderson split time in center field. Additionally, newly acquired Justin Ruggiano can see some time in center as well.
The asking price for Bruce shouldn’t be as high as it was for Lucroy, Mike Puma of the New York Post speculates. The Mets were reportedly trading Travis d’Arnaud, Brandon Nimmo and Seth Lugo for the Brewers catcher.
Jayson Stark of ESPN, says the Reds aren’t demanding an elite prospect for Jay Bruce, but want 2-3 good young players in that next tier in return for him.
Because Bruce has a team option for 2017, the Reds are not particularly anxious to move him now and could just wait until the offseason, so talks for him with interested parties are moving slowly.
Bruce is hitting .265 with 22 doubles, 25 home runs and a league-leading 80 RBIs in 96 games for the Reds this season.
Original Report – July 30
According to reporter Jayson Stark of ESPN.com, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds are working on a three-team trade involving outfielder Jay Bruce and a mystery team.
Earlier today, Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish cited sources who say the Dodgers are the favorites to land Bruce, but a few teams remain in play.
According to Buster Olney, the Mets have inquired on Jay Bruce from the Reds. This year Bruce is hitting .271/.323/.572 with 22 doubles, six triples, 25 homers, and a major league leading 79 RBI. Bruce has exclusively played RF for the Reds, and he has only played three game at first base in his entire career (all in 2013).
Bruce has a $13 million option for the 2017 season that is likely to be picked up by whatever team lands Bruce.
Bruce would be insurance against Yoenis Cespedes‘ being forced to miss extensive time with his current right quad injury, and he could be further insurance against Cespedes using his opt out and leaving the Mets in the offseason. It is a little ironic as the Mets made the trade for Cespedes after the Reds walked away from a Bruce for Zack Wheeler deal before the trading deadline last year.
