That series, in many ways, marked the beginning of the end of a star-studded team that had Bruce, Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, Todd Frazier, Mat Latos, Aroldis Chapman and others.
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Bruce’s risky left-handed bat should slot in nicely behind Cespedes if and when the right-handed slugger is healthy enough to play. 271 with a. 323 OBP, 25 HR and 79 RBI in 95 games this season. 300 in the past two seasons. For comparison, if he were to continue that pace for 150 games (assuming he took some off days), would amount to 87 home runs and 200 RBIs, obviously a pace he won’t keep up. During that time he’s hit seven homers and driven in 15. Needless to say, lack of run support by an anemic offense didn’t help either.
Thankfully, we won’t have to wait much longer to see how they handle being at the top of the rumor mill.
The Orioles have been linked to Jay Bruce talks before. “If it was different construction, we’d have to make that decision (about putting Puig on the DL)”.
If we were going strictly on convenience, Cleveland might be Bruce’s preferred landing spot. He told The Enquirer’s Zach Buchanan “you wouldn’t believe some of the stuff” he’s been proposed so far, which isn’t exactly the most ringing endorsement that a Bruce trade is going to send the team’s massive rebuild into hyperdrive.
The deal for Bruce is still a rumor but it is said to involve three teams that would result in Bruce playing for the Dodgers and Yasiel Puig the current Dodgers right fielder playing with possibly the Tampa Bay Rays along with some pitching prospects from the Dodgers.
It should be noted the Dodgers are not afraid to get creative to land players they like, so this situation should be followed closely. Assuming the Reds want prospects in return for Bruce, the Braves would surely be interested in one of the Dodgers’ many outfielders. Then they could look to deal from their depth, while the 30-year-old outfielder plays next season for one likely last good payday.
The Mets almost acquired Bruce from the Reds in exchange for Zack Wheeler prior to last year’s trade deadline, but dealt for Yoenis Cespedes instead. They seem to be in need of a similar boost this season, especially now that Juan Lagares is lost for six weeks with a torn thumb ligament. It also pushes fan-favorite Michael Conforto to the bench and prospect Brandon Nimmo back to the minors. The Reds failed to notch double-digit wins in April and May (nine and eight respectively), were outscored 530- 376 prior to the All-Star break and suffered an 11-game losing streak from May 16-27.
Puig made the adjustments teammates wanted. Even with Hunter Pence coming off the disabled list, San Francisco needs another bat.
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That’s led to a bit of a disconnect between buyers and seller, as Today’s Knuckleball’s John Perrotto noted this morning, one that Bruce himself is somewhat aware of. Bruce is a notoriously streaky hitter. They’ve reportedly discussed him recently with the Reds.
