Fansided

Indians Trade For Jay Bruce: Fantasy impact

By Bill Pivetz

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 02: Jay Bruce #19 of the New York Mets circle the bases after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 2, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 02: Jay Bruce #19 of the New York Mets circle the bases after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 2, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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With the injury to Michael Brantley, the Indians needed a replacement outfielder and found that player in Jay Bruce. What is the fantasy impact?

The Cleveland Indians are looking to go back to the World Series. However, injuries have slowed down their progress. The most recent one being to outfielder Michael Brantley. With Lonnie Chisenhall also on the DL, the Indians needed to add another outfielder. Luckily, the New York Mets were looking to shop an outfielder, Jay Bruce.

Bruce was traded to the Mets at the trade deadline last season. He didn’t adjust well to the change, hitting .219 with eight home runs and 19 RBI. This season, however, was a complete turnaround.

He is hitting .256/.321/.520 with 29 home runs, 75 RBI, 102 strikeouts and 39 walks. He could afford to walk a little more but that’s not in Bruce’s game. The team needs more power in their lineup if they want to compete in the playoffs.

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As for fantasy, Bruce moving to the American League is a good thing. While he has improved his fielding, the Indians can spell him a day or two in the outfield and use him as their DH. Yes, Edwin Encarnacion is there but he isn’t having his best season either.

The move also benefits him based on ESPN Park Factors. Six of the top-10 home run parks are in the AL. Four of the AL Central Parks rank in the top 12 with Kansas City at No. 24.

Bruce hasn’t played many games in the AL throughout his career, just 163 interleague games, but is hitting .384 lifetime at Progressive Field.

Looking at the current Indians outfielders, Bradley Zimmer, Brantley and Chisenhall, they combined to hit 29 home runs this season. It goes up to 35 if you include Austin Jackson, Abraham Almonte and Brandon Guyer. Not the best group of hitters for a potential World Series team.

As for the Mets, this clears up some space for them in the outfield. They already have a full lineup with Yoenis Cespedes, Curtis Granderson and Michael Conforto. Bruce was just taking playing time away from Conforto.

Also, with the trade of Lucas Duda and now Bruce, this opens up first base for prospect Dominic Smith. He is hitting .330 with 16 homers, 76 RBI and a .386 on-base percentage. At just 22 years old, the Mets can use a guy like Smith to start their slow rebuild.

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If you play in an AL-only league and missed out on some of the top names that crossed leagues at the deadline, then Bruce is your last chance. He provides power and can drive in runs.

In dynasty leagues, Smith is a good prospect to stash for the future. These next few weeks are crucial to see what he can do at the big league level.

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