The knock on the Mets heading into this season was that they had the pitching to be a contender, but lacked a potent lineup.
Advertisement
Another trade deadline, another corner outfielder acquired by the New York Mets.
Bruce made his big league debut with Cincinnati in 2008 and reached the postseason in 2010, ’12 and ’13, but the Reds are one of the National League’s worst teams and chose to deal him for infielder Dilson Herrera and left-hander Max Wotell.
Bruce his hitting. 265 with 80 RBIs and 25 home runs on the season, but nothing to play for.
Bruce had been on the trading block for over a year and was almost sent to the Mets in 2015 before the Reds reportedly backed out of a potential deal.
“He’s been good, very good”, St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. I think I can help out in the clubhouse, ” Rodriguez said Tuesday, “but if not, I have two handsome daughters waiting for me in Miami”.
Bruce, it would seem, is a ideal solution to that RISP problem. “I’m a baseball player, and that’s what I’m going to do”.
The Reds also got outfielder Brandon Nimmo and two other lower level prospects in the deal, furthering their efforts to rebuild, though that process, from the standpoint of what Cincinnati has gotten back in trades for key players, remains less than inspiring.
Bruce has also performed well in the clutch, batting.
Last week, when asked about his team hitting just above the Mendoza Line with runners in scoring position, Mets manager Terry Collins had an interesting take .
The Mets nearly landed Bruce before, but backed out of a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers for Carlos Gomez on July 29 of last season over concern about Gomez’s hip.
The thumping RF will now get a chance at a playoff spot with NY.
Source says Mets “very involved” in pursuing Jay Bruce. “I’ve been fortunate to get some good pitches to hit, and I haven’t missed them”.
Nimmo, 23, was the Mets’ first-round pick (No. 13 overall) in 2011 and was hitting.336/.409/.517 with seven home runs and 45 RBI in 72 games for Triple-A Las Vegas this season.
Alderson made a second trade on Monday, sending Antonio Bastardo to Pittsburgh in exchange for Jon Niese. “That’s always the way it goes”, he said.
Bruce will love it here in NY, as the fans are behind their team.
Advertisement
Niese is by no means a great pitcher – he had a 4.91 ERA in 110 innings for the Pirates – but he’s a lefty, is probably an upgrade over Logan Verrett and is comfortable in this market and with this franchise. “They talked about us losing 100 games at the beginning of the year, and s–, we’re damn sure trying, aren’t we?” His velocity was said to be 90-93 on his fastball.
