Cleveland Indians: Jay Bruce May Be A Trade Option

Could Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce go from southwest Ohio to northeast Ohio and become part of the Cleveland Indians?

According to Today’s Knuckleball and MLB Network‘s Jon Heyman, Jay Bruce would very likely waive his no-trade clause for the Cleveland Indians. Should Bruce waive his no-trade clause for the Tribe, it is likely thanks to the impressive run they have been on.

Heading into tonight’s game versus the Toronto Blue Jays, the Indians have won 12 straight games. Cincinnati on the other hand is in last place in the N.L. Central with a record of 29-50. The Reds are currently 23 games back in their division.

It is clear if Bruce wants to win and that is his first priority, becoming a member of the Cleveland Indians is his best bet to achieve that goal. This season, Bruce is hitting .279 with 17 home runs and 59 RBI.

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There have been no rumors tying Bruce to the Cleveland Indians (yet), but that should change as we get closer to the MLB Trade Deadline. Cincinnati is going to be sellers at the deadline, while the Indians will look to add to the team.

Now will Bruce be a legitimate option now or in the coming weeks? It will be tough given Cleveland’s history as a team that will not add significant salary to their payroll.

A trade between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians involving Bruce can be completed, but the Tribe will have to make it happen with secondary options in the minor leagues and/or get the Reds to help out with Bruce’s salary ($12.5 million this year and $13 million in 2017).

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If Bruce does not become a realistic option, Cleveland could add someone else to their outfield (possibly Oakland A’s Josh Reddick). Adding a player to their bullpen or third base also are options.

Adding Bruce to the Cleveland Indians outfield would add to their success at the plate. Bruce would bring power and the ability to do damage in a number of spots in the lineups. Unfortunately, he is not a right-handed bat, but given how well the right-handed and switch hitters have done up until this point, that is okay.

With the uncertainties surrounding left fielder Michael Brantley, as well as the up and coming top outfielder prospects making their way to Cleveland before we know it, Bruce is an offers the team an interesting option.

If he became an Indian and the team wanted to keep him around longer (once those prospects are relied upon regularly), a contract could still be completed. The only thing is that Bruce would have to move to DH a few years from now.

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Fans should be quite familiar with Bruce given he plays for the other Ohio team and that they square off often in Interleague play. I would welcome a Bruce trade, but I do not expect it. Still, some sort of addition should be made.