Jay Bruce

Mets have spoken with Blue Jays about Jay Bruce

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Mets recently picked up Bruce’s $13 million option for 2017

The Mets have spoken with the Blue Jays about a trade for OF Jay Bruce, reports Jim Bowden of ESPN.

Bowden didn’t specify the nature of the discussions or how likely a possible deal is.

Bruce, 29, is due $13 million next season, though there won’t be an ideal fit for him in the outfield if Yoenis Cespedes is retained.

After being acquired by the Mets last Aug. 1, Bruce hit .219/.294/.391 with eight HR and 19 RBI in 50 games.

Overall this past season, he hit .250/.309/.506 with 33 HR and 99 RBI.

If the Mets bring back Cespedes, which is the most important player move they would have made since re-signing Mike Piazza after the 1998 season, they would have Cespedes, Bruce, Curtis Granderson, Juan Lagares, and Michael Conforto all under contract for 2017.

While Conforto took a step back last season, he’s still viewed as a huge piece of this team’s future. Unless the Mets are intent on stunting Conforto’s growth, dealing either Bruce or Granderson if Cespedes returns is the way to go. And there hasn’t been a peep about a potential trade of Granderson.

In an ideal scenario, Cespedes would play every day, with the team mixing and matching with Conforto, Granderson, and Lagares depending on whether a lefty or righty is on the mound.

As far as what the Mets could get in exchange from the Blue Jays for Bruce, it’s possible they’d prefer a prospect or two instead of a player off the big league roster. That would allow for some salary relief should they need it.

First things first, though. The Mets need to bring Cespedes back.