The Mets’ first housekeeping items of the offseason were addressed Thursday when the club picked up contract options on Jay Bruce and Jose Reyes while severing ties with Jon Niese.
Bruce’s option is worth $13 million, and the veteran outfielder provides the club with protection should Yoenis Cespedes depart through free agency after he opts out of his contract by Saturday.
The 29-year-old Bruce had a .219/.294/.391 slash line with eight homers and 19 RBIs in 50 games after arriving from the Reds at the trade deadline. If Bruce stays – the Mets could look to deal him – he would likely be the starting right fielder next year, but the club could also consider first base as a possibility for him.