Fansided

MLB trade rumors: Each team’s best trade chip

By Joshua Sadlock

Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 30, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets pinch hitter T.J. Rivera (54) scores the game winning run against the Milwaukee Brewers on a single by New York Mets right fielder Jay Bruce (19) during the twelfth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets pinch hitter T.J. Rivera (54) scores the game winning run against the Milwaukee Brewers on a single by New York Mets right fielder Jay Bruce (19) during the twelfth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Mets: Jay Bruce

No one wanted Jay Bruce this winter when the Mets were desperately trying to move him to make room in the outfield for Michael Conforto. Perhaps the Mets were asking for too much in return for the slump-prone Bruce. With the Mets season spiraling out of control, Bruce may be up on the trade block again.

Bruce has helped to keep the New York offense marginally afloat without Yoenis Cespedes for long stretches of the season. Bruce has 13 home runs and 36 RBI on the year with a slugging percentage close to .500. This is a nice turnaround after he batted .219/.294/.391 in 50 games for the Mets last season after coming over from the Reds.

The 10-year veteran can run extremely hot and cold, and this year has been no different. He batted .292/.370/.584 in April before slumping to .210/.296/.430 in May with 25 strikeouts in 25 games. To be able to get anything of value for Bruce on the trade market, the Mets need him to have a stronger month of June.

Barring a miraculous comeback, the 2017 Mets will not be making it three straight years with a trip to the playoffs. The smart thing to do here would be to peel off a few valuable trade pieces like Bruce or veteran relievers Addison Reed and Jerry Blevins. This is a lost season, but the Mets can position themselves to get right back into the thick of the playoff race in 2018 with a good trade deadline.

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