When the Mets obtained Jay Bruce at the trade deadline, they were trying to replicate the magic of 12 months earlier – an imperfect-fit slugger nevertheless elevating the team.
But Bruce was no Yoenis Cespedes. He shared too much in common – including initials – with Jason Bay. Was it because he is a streaky player who simply had gone into a dip? Was it because his temperament was ill-suited for the New York market? Was it a combination?
Either way, the Mets want to trade him and his $13 million 2017 salary, and are operating under a mandate not to spend on the reliever or two they still need until they remove money currently on the payroll – Bruce or otherwise, and otherwise appears to be a nickname for Curtis Granderson.