Empire Writes Back
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Early Predictions for the 2018 New York Mets Lineup

By Nolan Rich

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 15: Manager Terry Collins of the New York Mets watches from the dugout during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 15, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. All uniformed team members are wearing jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 15: Manager Terry Collins of the New York Mets watches from the dugout during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 15, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. All uniformed team members are wearing jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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New York Mets
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 02: Jay Bruce (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Left Field: Jay Bruce

Surprised? The Mets will add another bat this offseason and it will be a familiar face. This season, Bruce proved he could handle the pressures of New York and thrived in the middle of the Mets order, blasting 29 long balls and 75 RBI before being traded at the deadline.

The last two trade deadlines have shown that Bruce isn’t highly valued because he was traded both times for lower prospects. While there will be free agents who will break the bank in free agency, I do not see Bruce being one of them.

At 31 next season, Bruce still has plenty of baseball left in the tank. I see him being overlooked like Yoenis Cespedes was when he hit free agency two years ago.

The Mets could bring Bruce back on a one-year deal or could probably get him on a short-term contract to bring that big lefty bat back to New York.

Don’t forget, Sandy Alderson wanted Bruce before ultimately trading for Cespedes in 2015 and would love to bring back Bruce’s consistency to the order.

Next: For the New York Mets, the Future Has to Begin Now

While he may be an average defensive left fielder at best, the team needs a big bat and will need to try to keep Cespedes healthy. Either way, a corner outfield with Bruce and Cespedes could be one of the better outfield combos in the game in terms of offensive production.

With two rookies in the lineup and uncertainty about how many games Cespedes can play, the New York Mets need stability in the middle of the order and Bruce would fit the bill.

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