New York Mets: Re-signing Jay Bruce would make sense

With MLB free agency underway, teams are starting to inquire about players who could be a good fit for them. The New York Mets could use another outfielder and Jay Bruce might just be the perfect fit.

The New York Mets traded Jay Bruce to the Cleveland Indians in August, but the slugging outfielder could soon find himself back in Queens.

Bruce, 30, is currently a free agent. After spending the first four months of the 2017 season with the Mets, he was traded to the Indians for minor league pitcher Ryder Ryan on Aug. 9. In 43 games for the Indians, Bruce hit .248 with seven home runs and 26 RBI.

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, Bruce is reportedly seeking a five-year deal worth somewhere between $80-90 million.

MLB teams that have inquired on FA outfielder Jay Bruce say he’s seeking a deal for 5 years in the $80-90 million range.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 9, 2017

Whether or not the Mets are willing to pay this price for Bruce will be up to general manager Sandy Alderson. There is a chance that Alderson will not want to commit to a lucrative five-year contract. However, re-signing Bruce would be a smart move because we already know he has what it takes to succeed in New York.

Although his tenure with the Mets got off to a rough start, Bruce was able to get it together and started to look like himself by the time the 2017 season began. The Mets acquired Bruce from the Cincinnati Reds in August of 2016 in exchange for second baseman Dilson Herrera and left-handed pitcher Max Wotell. In 50 games with New York during the 2016 season, Bruce batted just .219 with eight home runs and 19 RBI.

However, Bruce was having a very good 2017 season for the Mets before they traded him. He hit .256 with 29 homers and 75 RBI in 103 games. His performance with the Mets in 2017 essentially put to rest the perception that he could not perform at a high level in New York.

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The outfield situation for the Mets in 2018 is still somewhat murky. Michael Conforto is expected to return after missing the last month of the 2017 season due to a torn posterior capsule in his left shoulder. Yoenis Cespedes was also sidelined for the final month of the season. He suffered a hamstring injury and the Mets decided to shut him down. However, Cespedes is also expected to be back next season. The Mets also have Juan Lagares and Brandon Nimmo as potential options for their outfield.

It would be a smart move for Alderson to bring Bruce back to the Mets. He knows many of the players on the team and has proven that he has what it takes to play in New York. Also, new Mets manager Mickey Callaway is already familiar with Bruce, as he was the pitching coach for the Indians this past season.

Next: Mike Moustakas would be a perfect fit in Queens

Re-signing Jay Bruce makes plenty of sense. We will see if the New York Mets are willing to pay the money for him.

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