MLB Insider Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports, the Cincinnati Reds are making it known that right fielder Jay Bruce is available according to league sources.
“The Reds are expected by rivals to become a full-fledged seller in coming days, perhaps shortly after the All-Star Game here, but to this point the one name being heard is Bruce, which is somewhat curious since they have multiple big players who are free agents after the year, and Bruce isn’t one of them.”
Bruce, 28, is owed $7 million for the rest of this year, $12.5 million next year, and has a $13-million option for 2017 with a $1 million buyout.
He also has a no-trade provision to eight teams, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts.
July 10
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting that there’s a good chance that Jay Bruce will be traded at the deadline.
The Reds’ outfielder is hitting .243 this year with 12 home runs and 41 RBI. He started out the season mired in a terrible slump, but he’s turned his season around with an .840 OPS in the month of June.
He’s owed $12 million this season and $12.5 million next season. He also has a club option for $13 million in 2017
Bruce will be an upgrade over what the Mets currently have, but I don’t think he’s the right player to target.
While he crushed 30 or more home runs from 2011-2013, his production has declined in recent seasons. Last year he hit .217 with 18 home runs and 66 RBI, which are career lows for the 28-year old slugger.
Another concern is his numbers away from Great American Ball Park. Bruce has a .680 OPS on the road this year compared to an .897 mark at home.
