Steven Marcus of Newsday reports that the Mets are still are interested in a reunion with Jay Bruce and Addison Reed.
The Mets had been rumored previously to have been interested in both, but after the Mets signed Anthony Swarzak it became unlikely they would still look to spend money on Reed.
Last year, the 29-year old had a 2.84 ERA, 1.053 WHIP, and 3.67 FIP while notching 19 saves in 76 innings between the Mets and the Boston Red Sox which gave him a 2.4 WAR on the season.
In Bruce’s case, his agent had said that he preferred to play in San Francisco or Houston next season, which made it appear unlikely he would return.
The 30-year old hit .254/.324/.508 while hitting 36 home runs and having 101 RBIs to give him a 118 wRC+ and 2.9 WAR.
Defensively, Bruce was very effective last season in right field, posting six defensive runs saved in 2017 after a 2016 campaign that saw him put up -11 in the category. He also played first base in 12 games and recorded and even zero defensive runs saved.
Both former Mets could be useful additions to the team as the Mets have been said to be looking for more bullpen help and a first base/outfield type that can add a presence to the lineup.
The Mets continued interest in them likely results from the fact that the free agent market has moved very slowly, which will likely lead to some value deals as there is only a little over a month left till Spring Training.
Marcus’ source also said the following:
“The team you see right now I don’t think is the team [they are] going to spring training with. I think [they will] surprise some people.’’
The Mets have received hefty backlash this off-season, and rightfully so, for their reported interest in trimming payroll this off-season, however, it is starting to appear that they might not go too extreme, if trim it at all anymore.
Jon Heyman of the FanRag Sports Network projected Bruce to receive a three-year, $36 million contract, while he projected Reed to get a three-year, $27 million contract at the beginning of the off-season.
