When it comes to projecting or speculating on a Yankees-Mets trade, bet against anything actually happening. Despite Lucas Duda looking like a perfect fit for the contending Yankees prior to July’s MLB trade deadline, the crosstown rivals couldn’t come together on a deal.
As the August waiver deadline approaches, a new Yankees-Mets trade idea is making its way around water cooler talk: Jay Bruce to the Bronx.
With Bruce clearing waivers, a deal—with the Yankees or any interested party—could go down at anytime.
Here’s why the Yankees should place a call to the Mets and make a deal for Bruce.
Bruce entered play on August 4 with 29 home runs. Only five hitters in the sport—Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees' Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Mike Moustakas and Justin Smoak—have topped Bruce's home run total (29) this year. Bruce’s pull-happy swing would be a boon to the Yankees in the Bronx.
The Yankees lineup leans heavily to the right side. With Jacoby Ellsbury unreliable and switch-hitting Aaron Hicks not back yet, Didi Gregorius and Brett Gardner are forced to be the only lefty-hitting options for manager Joe Girardi on a daily basis. Bruce could provide balance.
Matt Holliday, the veteran Yankees general manager Brian Cashman signed to be the DH this season, owned a .914 OPS at the end of play on June 12. From that moment through the start of play on August 4—including a bizarre DL stint due to an allergic reaction—Holliday’s slash line was .145/.200/.264. The 37-year-old may be finished.
Despite recent good news, the Yankees can’t count on a Greg Bird return. First base is still a concern. Bruce has manned the position 11 times for the Mets this season. It would give Girardi another interesting lineup option.
When it comes to putting the ball over the wall, few power hitters are more consistent than Bruce. The ex-Reds star has hit 20-plus homers in all but one season since 2008, and is on pace to blow past his career high (34) in long balls this season.
Once the Yankees made blockbuster deals with the White Sox and Athletics, the mandate turned to playoffs-or-bust for Yankees fans. Bruce can help the Yankees offense get back on track and make that a reality.
On Friday afternoon, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson talked about opening up a spot for the team’s best prospect. Dealing Bruce opens up a roster spot and takes a part-time first baseman off the roster.
The “can the Mets and Yankees actually make a trade?” conversation is tired. If the Mets want to rebuild and retool for 2018 the right way, it doesn’t make sense to let something silly get in the way.
This is critical. If the Mets want to bring back Bruce in 2018, trading him to the Yankees now doesn’t stop that from happening. Much like the Yankees re-signing Aroldis Chapman after dealing him to the Cubs last summer, money talks in free agency.
If the Mets keep Bruce and end up losing him to another team during the winter, a draft pick will return. But with the rules for qualifying offers changing, the return is no longer a first-round selection. If the Yankees part with a solid prospect, it’s likely better than what the Mets could have to choose from in next June’s draft.
Alderson is a smart man. If Cashman senses an offense in need of a boost, the Yankees executive will make a move. Fair—or better—value can be had for Bruce right now in a deal.
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| Domenic Smth |
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