With injuries piling up, the addition of Jay Bruce keeps the New York Mets in the mix for a playoff spot.
The New York Mets are hoping Jay Bruce can do for them what Yoenis Céspedes did for them last season, after acquiring the outfielder from the Reds just hours before the trade deadline, per NBC Sports. According to the MLB Pipeline, New York will send their No. 5 prospect, outfielder Brandon Nimmo, and two low level minor leaguers to Cincinnati in exchange for Bruce.
The fact the Mets did not have to give up Michael Conforto or any other top prospect makes this trade a steal, especially since Bruce has a team option for 2017 at a reasonable $13 million. However, if things don’t work out, he can be bought out for $1 million.
Jay Bruce would be 1st player traded during season while leading league in RBI since it became official statistic in 1920 - via @EliasSports
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 1, 2016
Bruce is enjoying his finest year in the majors with 25 homers and 80 RBIs to go with a .316/.559/.875 slash line and when Céspedes returns from nursing a quad injury, it provides the Mets with a solid lefty-righty tandem in the heart of the lineup. Céspedes has belted 22 round-trippers and driven in 58 runs.
The 28-year-old Bruce is considered a defensive liability and with Juan Lagares out for six weeks to repair that partially torn thumb UCL, Céspedes will have to be 100-percent healthy to cheat to whatever side the former first-round pick is playing.
However, a healthy Céspedes creates a bit of conundrum for manager Terry Collins because he will have four outfielders for three spots with no designated hitter in the National League. Is right-fielder Curtis Granderson the odd man out because he is not have a terrific season, or does Conforto take a seat on the bench?
In any event, the trade will go through if all parties pass physicals.
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