New York Mets: Should They Bench Jay Bruce
By Nick Ziegler
The New York Mets traded for outfielder Jay Bruce to improve their offense. Due to his struggles, should they consider benching him?
The New York Mets made what looked like another impact move at the trade deadline when they acquired Jay Bruce. Like last season, the Mets needed to improve their offense heading into the second half of the season. The acquisition of Bruce looked great on paper.
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On the Cincinnati Reds this season, Bruce totaled a .265 batting average, 25 home runs, and 80 RBIs. Those statistics for Bruce were outstanding, and the Mets appeared like they would have a dynamic middle of the order with Bruce and Yoenis Cespedes.
Unfortunately for the Mets, Bruce has not played anywhere close to what he accomplished with the Reds this season. In 36 games with the Mets, Bruce has totaled a .192 batting average, four home runs, and 11 RBIs.
To say that Bruce has underachieved with the Mets might be a massive understatement. Mets manager Terry Collins has stuck with him, but how much longer can he afford to?
“I’ve talked to him at length about it and one of the things he’s done over his entire career is played through things,” Collins said to Maria Guardado of NJ.com. “He’s been an everyday guy. He’s never been a guy who sits very much, so he has the ability to fight through it. We talked here about he’s probably missed more playing time here than he has anywhere. So I said, ‘Look, we’re going to run you in there this week and see if we can get you started.'”
While players certainly go through slumps, the fact is that the Mets need to win games. Bruce has certainly had a nice career with the Reds. However, the pressure is now on him to succeed in New York.
“I’m someone who kind of hangs my hat on coming in every single day, preparing the same way and being ready to play and playing pretty much every day. He asked me, and I just told him I didn’t need any more time off — I didn’t need a break here or there or whatever. I’m confident in my ability to get out of funks and just keep going forward. It’s part of the game. But I also told him I completely understand, that he has to put a lineup [together] that he feels gives us the best chance to win. But I also feel like I’m one of the best nine options as well.”
One of the things that are helping Bruce stay in the lineup is that there isn’t a great option behind him.
“It’s going to be hard,” Collins said to Guardado. “I’m not going to make any excuses, but who do we [have] that’s going really good that we can stick in there? If you take [Bruce] out, you’d better have someone you’re confidence can get the job done.”
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One player that could deserve some of Bruce’s at-bats is Alejandro De Aza. While De Aza only has a .204 batting average this season, he is batting .313 in a small sample size in Septemeber. Finally, due to the Mets believing that Bruce was going to be one of the answers to their offensive problems, there isn’t much behind him that can help. Furthermore, with the playoff chase here, the Mets appear to be sticking with the struggling Bruce.