DUNEDIN, Fla. – The Toronto Blue Jays are working to acquire Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce as part of three-team deal that would send Michael Saunders to the Los Angeles Angels, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
The potential trade comes about two weeks after another three-team deal that would have sent Bruce north fell apart near the finish line, an industry source told Sportsnet.
Bruce, who turns 29 on April 3, is due $12.5 million this season and has a $13-million option for 2017 with a $1-million buyout. The left-handed batter hit 26 homers with 87 RBI while posting a .226/.294/.434 slash line last season for the Reds, who are rebuilding.
Predominantly a right-fielder, he’s exceeded the 20-homer plateau in seven of his eight seasons, reaching 30 three times, and has a career OPS of .781.
Saunders, who is due $2.9 million this year, missed all but nine games last season after suffering a meniscus tear in his left knee in a freak spring training accident. The 29-year-old pending free agent is feeling healthy this spring and was expected to open the season as the starting left-fielder.