According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports , the New York Mets are interested in making a trade that would improve their outfield and starting lineup, in general, and possibly aide in a postseason run. The New York Mets are currently two games behind the Washington Nationals for the lead in the National League East.
The New York Mets are currently pursuing Jay Bruce, an outfielder from the Cincinnati Reds. Bruce comes with a powerful left-handed bat and could easily hit 30 home runs a season. Jay is also only 28 years of age, so time is on his side.
Anthony DiComo , the beat reporter from MLB.com, reports that the New York Mets are heavily scouting the Cincinnati Reds slugger.
New York #Mets are heavily scouting Cincinnati #Reds outfielder Jay Bruce, according to Anthony DiComo.
— Scrimmage Rewards (@Scrimsports) July 26, 2015
Bruce is set to make a reasonable $12.5 million next season, with a $13 million team option for 2017. After a down year for Bruce last season, he seems to be back to his career norm this season.
After trading Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals, the Reds have made it clear that they are looking to unload their biggest salaries as they look to save as much money as possible. Bruce is the next step in doing that.
Bruce is a two-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger. This season, Jay is batting.255 with 21 doubles, 15 home runs, and 49 RBI with.808 OPS and 120+ OPS in 92 games for the Reds.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr , the New York Mets have been looking at multiple options to fill the void they have in the outfield. Possible trade targets included Justin Upton of the San Diego Padres and Yoenis Cespedes of the Detroit Tigers.
However, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune states that nothing is imminent between the Mets and Padres, and the news is the same with Ben Zobrist of the Oakland Athletics, per Ken Rosenthal.
The New York Mets and the Reds discussed an exchange of Bruce for right-handed pitcher Zach Wheeler, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, but apparently the talks have not gained traction.
Mets Trade Rumors: Mets and Reds talked Jay Bruce, Zack Wheeler http://t.co/7GzoYOIUuO pic.twitter.com/ZxbgKIg1Rw
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 27, 2015
The New York Daily News first reported that the New York Mets would be willing to part ways with Zach Wheeler . Rival executives say the Mets have a deep enough farm system to make a significant move without including any of their top young pitchers in the package.
A fan blocked me tonight because I said the #Mets shouldn’t trade Noah Syndergaard for Jay Bruce.
— Rich MacLeod (@richmacleod) July 27, 2015
Do you think the New York Mets will make a transaction in order to acquire Jay Bruce? If not, what other moves do you see the Mets making before the trade deadline on July 31?
[Image Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images]