During the off-season we’ll be taking a closer look at some potential free agent targets for the Toronto Blue Jays. Today it’s Jay Bruce.
Check out our other free agent fits:
Brandon Morrow
Eduardo Nunez
Neil Walker
Tyler Chatwood
Player: Jay Bruce | Age: 32
Position: RF
Bats: Left | Throws: Left
2017 stats: 146 GP| .254/.324/.508 | 36 HR | 2.7 WAR | BB/K: 57/139
MLB Trade Rumors Signing Prediction
Toronto Blue Jays. Three years, $39 million.
Why he’s a potential fit for the Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have been connected to Bruce for what seems like an eternity now, and actually had a deal in place to acquire him two springs ago that fell apart at the 11th hour. They can now acquire him for only money if they so please, and it’s not hard to see how the 32-year-old would fit nicely into one of Toronto’s outfield corners, where he’d provide an immediate upgrade on what the Blue Jays received from those positions in 2017.
The one thing Bruce has always brought is some thump, as evidenced by his 277 career home runs, including a career-high 36 in 2017. Bruce’s .254 isolated power was among the top 20 sluggers in baseball this season and helps make up for his somewhat pedestrian .248/.331/.477 slash line. You can certainly do a lot worse in a corner outfield spot than the 118 wRC+ Bruce put up in 2017.
And while you’re not acquiring Bruce for his outfield play, it’s worth noting that his defensive stats took an upward turn this season as he posted above average numbers in both DRS and UZR. Many have pointed to Bruce finally fully recovering from 2014 knee surgery as the reason behind his defensive renaissance. It’s unlikely he’ll continue to improve as a defender as he ages, but it’s possible he could maintain his above-average numbers for another year or two.
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Why he might not be a fit for the Blue Jays
Bruce bats left-handed, which the Blue Jays need, but he’s also a little one-dimensional as a hitter, which the Blue Jays don’t. If Toronto wants to get on base at a higher clip, run more, and impact the game beyond the long ball, Bruce isn’t the guy. And while his ability to play some first base is nice, the last thing the Blue Jays need is another aging player at that position.
Also, Bruce has struggled to figure out left-handed pitching his entire career, and until he does he’ll continue to see a steady diet of southpaws that will suppress his numbers and potentially force him into a platoon role at some point.
Bruce batted just .222/.285/.433 against lefties in 2017, and hit 27 of his 36 home runs off right-handers. For his career, Bruce’s numbers against left-handers (.226/.291/.421) pale in comparison to his numbers against righties (.258/.330/.493).
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The latest buzz
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reported earlier this month that Bruce is seeking a five-year deal in the $80-90 million range. There is some understandable skepticism as to whether he’ll be able to find anywhere near that kind of pact, but it goes without saying that the Blue Jays should absolutely not commit that kind of money to this kind of player. Still, Fanrag Sports’ Jon Heyman listed the Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals as potential landing spots.
