Coming off a 2014 season that was disappointing for both the Cincinnati Reds and Jay Bruce, it's being reported the club might be dangling the two-time All-Star outfielder, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
The Reds are very much at a crossroads heading into 2015. Following a 76-86 campaign that was marred by injuries to a number of their key players, including Joey Votto, Homer Bailey, Brandon Phillips and Bruce, they could aim to keep the core together for another shot.
But the payroll is climbing, and four of their starting pitchers—Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Mike Leake and Alfredo Simon—have only one season left before they reach free agency.
So the other option is to make some pre-emptive moves to bring in players who are both younger and have several years of team control.
As Rosenthal writes: "Though club officials say the team is merely listening on players rather than shopping them, a trade of Bruce for more cost-effective talent would be a major step toward retooling with a lower payroll in 2015."
Last season was the worst of Bruce's seven-year career, as he hit just .217/.281/.373 with just 18 home runs. That can be attributed at least in part to the fact that the right fielder underwent left knee surgery in early May and missed less than three weeks but might not have been at full strength for much of the year.
That makes the timing here a bit odd: Bruce's value on the trade market isn't exactly at its highest point.
Still, the lefty slugger is a good candidate to bounce back to his previous levels of performance, considering he is only 27 years old and had a run of four straight seasons with at least 25 homers and an OPS north of .800 prior to last year.
Besides that, Bruce's contract is rather reasonable; he's owed $12 million in 2015, $12.5 million in 2016 and has a $13 million option in 2017 (with a $1 million buyout).
Aside from getting younger and cheaper, the Reds' biggest needs are at shortstop and left field.
"We're still talking to both agents and clubs about trades," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said via John Fay of the The Cincinnati Enquirer. "We really aren't close on anything."
With so much pitching available in both free agency and trades, clubs are yearning for offense, especially power, and Bruce provides just that. He'll be a hot commodity and a good fit for a number of teams who have the desire and the means to acquire him.
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