MLB Trade Deadline: Mets and Reds are finalizing Jay Bruce trade

The New York Mets appear ready to add outfielder Jay Bruce in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds

UPDATE 1:15pm: The Reds are reconsidering the return package and this trade may now fall through, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. Meanwhile the Mets are concerned about adding Bruce’s salary to payroll per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The New York Mets are once again on the verge of adding an outfielder via trade, but the deal is currently in a familiar place; pending review of medicals. According to Adam Rubin of ESPN, the Mets have the structure of a deal in place to acquire Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce in a trade that would send right-hander Zack Wheeler to the Reds.

This would be the second time in the week leading into the non-waiver trade deadline where the New York Mets were rumored to have landed some much needed help in the outfield. Earlier this week, multiple reports came out announcing that the team had a deal in place to acquire outfielder Carlos Gomez from the Milwaukee Brewers for Wheeler and shortstop Wilmer Flores. However, the deal fell through due to either medical or financial reasons and Gomez was subsequently traded to the Houston Astros on Thursday night as part of a bigger package.

At this time, both sides are said to be reviewing medical reports on Bruce and Wheeler respectively. With no known injury concerns in regards to Jay Bruce, the review likely revolves mostly around Wheeler, who underwent Tommy John surgery on March 25th and won’t return until midway through the 2016 season. Still, the fact that this is where the deal stands likely leaves many fans uneasy considering how the Carlos Gomez deal went down.

That said, acquiring Jay Bruce would be a solid addition for a Mets line-up looking for some thump. Bruce is in the midst of a fantastic season in which he’s slashing .257/.341/.486 with 17 home runs and 59 RBI. Among outfielders in the game, Bruce ranks 19th with a wRC+ of 123 and his .229 ISO ranks 9th in the game. Additionally, Bruce is signed at a reasonable rate of $12.5 million in 2016 and has a $13 million team option for 2017. Needless to say, he’s going to contribute to a Mets line-up that badly needs some offensive support and he’s going to come at a price that the club can afford.

Of course, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports did have to burst the bubble for Mets fans though.

Wheeler is another solid arm that the Reds can add to their rotation for 2016 and beyond. Yes, he underwent Tommy John surgery in March, but we’re talking about a 25-year-old that is 18-16 with a 3.50 ERA, a 3.77 FIP, and an 8.5 K/9 ratio over 49 Major League starts. He’ll come back strong and be a solid starter to add to the Reds core.

Wheeler, who once had a similar stance with the Mets organization, became expendable due to the rise of other pitching prospects like Steven Matz, Noah Syndergaard, and right-hander Michael Fulmer. That gave New York the prime chip it needed to swing a deal for a bat without upsetting what they are building. That said, it remains to be seen if the Mets will send any other pieces to the Reds for Bruce.

Of course, that all rides on the physicals being passed. And we all know that New York doctors don’t practice Cheesehead Medicine.

Next: Baseball's Untouchable Prospects at the MLB Trade Deadline

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