MLB Rumors: Are the Rays helping Dodgers trade for Jay Bruce?

Rumors are swirling that Jay Bruce may be headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and now a third team may be involved.

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With the Major League Baseball trade deadline less than 72 hours away, Jay Bruce’s name has begun to be thrown around a lot. In fact, the Cincinnati Reds slugger may be headed to Los Angeles, as the Dodgers are apparently making a hard push for him.

Jay Morosi of MLB Network tweeted out that Bruce may very well be headed to La-La Land, but a third team may be involved to make it happen.

The Reds would likely receive a prospect from the Rays in the deal, who would then also trade starting pitcher Chris Archer to the Dodgers, giving Los Angeles two players they will need to make a serious run at a World Series appearance. Archer has been rumored to be on his way out in Tampa Bay during this trade deadline period, and the Dodgers could use another front-line starter to team with Clayton Kershaw.

Puig could see himself ending up in Tampa Bay, who could use his star power. The franchise has been led by third baseman Evan Longoria for years, and Puig would inject some flair to the otherwise boring baseball being played there.

ESPN’s Jayson Stark tried to shoot down those rumors on Friday night, tweeting out that the Rays are not involved in the deal.

Of course, reporters have been known to be wrong from time to time, and the moving parts in this three-team deal makes sense for all three teams. The Rays get instantly better on offense, the Reds continue to build for the future, and the Dodgers make their yearly run at the post-season.

Bruce is one of the better hitters in the National League, and if the Dodgers can make this happen, they should be able to claw back from the two-game deficit they are facing to the San Francisco Giants in the National League West.

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