New York Mets: How to Use Jay Bruce Next Week
New York Mets right fielder Jay Bruce has really struggled ever since being dealt to the team at the trade deadline. After a weekend in which he actually got a few hits, the Mets will now have to decide how to use him over the final week of the season.
If there was ever a moment for Jay Bruce to break out of his slump, it’s now. With only six games remaining in the season, he’s running out of time to show his team that he can hit within the New York Mets lineup.
Bruce has had a very hard time adjusting to playing in New York. When he was with the Cincinnati Reds, he was one of the best hitters on the team. To put it in perspective, Bruce was hitting .265 with 25 home runs and 80 RBIs in 97 games with the Reds this season. He was leading the NL in RBIs when the Mets acquired him. Ever since then, he’s struggled tremendously.
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Over the past few months, Bruce has just looked lost at the plate. In 44 games with the Mets, he’s hitting just .179 with five homers and 12 RBIs. He only has 26 hits in 145 at-bats. Mets manager Terry Collins has definitely given Bruce his fair share of opportunities. Unfortunately, he has not been able to capitalize on these chances.
Fan seated near the press box is imploring Bruce to "go back to Cincinnati."
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) September 21, 2016
Bruce’s troubles finally caught up with him last week when the Mets decided to bench him. Since Wednesday’s game against the Atlanta Braves, he’s only made one start. On Saturday night, he had a pinch-hit solo home run. Collins decided to put him into the lineup yesterday afternoon. Bruce went 2-4 with a double and two runs scored as the Mets routed the Philadelphia Phillies 17-0.
Because Bruce actually woke up a little bit this weekend, the Mets have to re-asses how to utilize him this week. Collins has to decide whether or not to start the slugging right fielder. His other option would be to continue using him as a pinch-hitter. It’s certainly a tough dilemma to have, especially considering how valuable each remaining game is going forward.
The Mets travel to Miami to take on the Marlins tonight. They’ll face Adam Conley, who is a lefty. It wouldn’t make any sense to start the left-handed hitting Bruce against him. The Marlins will then throw two righties over the next couple of nights. If Collins wanted to give Bruce playing time, it would be smart to do it during one of those games.
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How Bruce performs in the Marlins series should determine his playing time for the rest of the season, and even the playoffs if the Mets make it that far. The Mets will visit the Phillies over the weekend to conclude the regular season. As of right now, the Phillies are scheduled to throw all right-handers in the series. In the event that Bruce starts to go on a tear, he should get a good amount of opportunities in Philadelphia.
The Mets have their hands full with Bruce right now. It would be an understatement to say that he’s underperformed since being traded to them in early August. If he does finally start to hit over this last week, however, the Mets need to keep playing him. After all, that’s the primary reason the team went out and acquired him in the first place. Bruce was expected to be a driving force in the Mets offense as they made their playoff push. He has not been that so far, but it’s not too late to break out of his slump. Although unlikely, it’s not impossible.