2:00pm: The Angels doing their due diligence on a number of Reds players, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times tweets. There’s no trade brewing at this point with Bruce or any other Reds player.
1:33pm: The Angels are interested in Reds outfielder Jay Bruce, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Morosi adds that the Halos have a scout in Cincinnati watching the Reds take on the Indians.
It was reported on Saturday that the Reds have opened the doors on a fire sale and Bruce was among the many players listed as possibilities to be shopped. Through 86 games this season, Bruce has hit .255/.342/.474 with 14 home runs.
Bruce, who is owed about $19.5MM through 2016, has a $13MM club option for 2017 on his contract as well. He underwent knee surgery early last season but rushed back in less than a month, which some believe to be a significant factor in his diminished play in 2014 and early 2015. Bruce can reportedly block trades to the D-Backs, Red Sox, Marlins, Twins, Yankees, A’s, Rays and Blue Jays.
Even though Bruce has only come up in trade rumors in recent weeks, ESPN’s Buster Olney heard that the Reds have had the outfielder “available for awhile.” For his career, Bruce owns a .251/.325/.467 slash line through eight seasons with the Reds.
joshbresser
Got to love the Reds’ stupidity. Todd Frazier- who is FOURTEEN months older than Bruce- is “untouchable” as part of the “youth movement”, but Bruce has been available “for weeks.” This team is a disaster. And Bruce is in no way having a “down year”- his OPS is the third best of his career, and his best since 2012. Watch the Reds sell low on him, though, while keeping the “untouchable” Frazier. What a disgrace of a front office.
Math&Baseball
Uh, Todd Frazier is hitting .276/.329/.570 with 25 home runs and is controllable until the 2018 season through arbitration. He’s also set to make 7.5mill next season.
Jay Bruce, who’s making far more, is hitting .255/.342/.474 with 14 home runs and is expensive the next two years with 12.5mill next season and 13mill if they pick up the option.
Yes, the front office is stupid for not trading a premier power hitting 3B who’s got one heck of a deal playing for 7.5 next season.
joshbresser
Yeah. They are stupid for not trading that player- who happens to turn THIRTY before next season. By the time the Reds are contending again, he’ll be 31-32. Calling him “untouchable” is a joke. The guy isn’t Mike Trout.
Math&Baseball
Saying a player is untouchable means it will take a hell of an offer to acquire that player. Nobody is untouchable.
If the Cubs offered their top 5 prospects to the Nationals for Bryce Harper you think the Nationals would turn it down? No they wouldn’t.
Untouchable is a fancy word to say you better be prepared to pay big for them.
Why should the Reds not expect a big package to pry away Frazier? They should sell low give him away for free?
I can see why you weren’t hired as GM.
He plays a premium position at 3rd and has a def rating of 2.8 according to fan graphs.
Math&Baseball
Dwar of 0.4, overall war of 3.6.
Plays a premium position and good power. He’s hit 15 homers at home and 10 on the road.
He’s not untouchable. But it will cost a big package to acquire him as it should.
joshbresser
I agree with that. I don’t agree with him being “untouchable”, which is what Jocketty said he was. Explicitly.
jeffkyblue22
Jocketty is one of worst Gms in league IMO. Reds made huge mistake giving Bailey and mesoraco extensions without locking up more valuable less injury prone options
ctrenkamp
Pretty Bob wanted those extensions not Walt
raef715
he may be saying that for the benefit of the fans.
Cam
What GM’s say, and what GM’s mean, are two very different things. Fans should know to take comments with a grain of salt.
gooberz
Get your head out of the mumbers. He’s not Mike trout
Lance
no player is “untouchable” but there’s no real reason for the Reds to be anxious to trade Frazier unless knocked over with a deal. Not a lot of 3B with Frazier’s power out there. He can’t be a FA until 2018! Plus, he’s a fan favorite.
everlastingdave
Then just ask for the Josh Donaldson package and see if anybody is willing to come close.
redsfanman
Todd Frazier is untouchable because he’s a fan favorite, Jay Bruce is a trade candidate because he isn’t a fan favorite. They also presumably feel that finding a RF will be an easier task for them than a 3b.
jeffkyblue22
OK so why would Chapman be available. He’s definitely a fan favorite. If that is one of your argument for keeping Frazier
bruinsfan94 2
Chapman is a closer which is a position that rebuilding teams rarely worry about. He is signed through 2016 while Frazor is a 3b signed through 2018 and is fairly cheap. Every team has players that fans would get super upset about if traded and players who fans like but understand that you have to do whats best. Look at the Red Sox, from a baseball standpoint, it might not be crazy to trade Pedrioa, as they have Betts and Moncada, but from a business standpoint, its a terrible idea.
jeffkyblue22
Chapman puts a lot of butts in the seats. Tons of fans go to the game just for the chance of seeing Chapman. I understand that a closer is easier to replace than a position player. If you gonna blow it up blow it up from the top down
Vandals Took The Handles
Wee you being sarcastic? How does a fan know if a relief pitcher is going to play that game?
gooberz
If you think bruce isn’t having a bad year, I’ll give you a thumbs down to make it a -2
BoldyMinnesota
Fraziers a guy you build a team around, Bruce is a complimentary piece that has the chance to put you over the top
scann
Sweep the Sox……Angels…………
sdsuphilip
Hard to see a deal happening here, Angels have 2 premier trade chips they seem intent on hanging onto, Bruce would certainly cost Newcomb+ and Angels do not seem interested in dealing him or heaney
raef715
yes, the Angels have a depleted system, and i’d assume Reds could get more elsewhere; angels should be able to go more bargain basement and still improve over some of the crap they are rolling out there.
cc36
Bruce has no chance at netting Newcomb+. Try Tropeano and a B prospect.
sdsuphilip
And the Angels have no chance of getting Bruce with that package, he’s a above average bat and defensive of in his prime and affordable, he will cost 1 top 100 guy and more
Ray Ray
10 comments on here (ATM) and 8 of them have a negative score. I think it might be wise to rethink the “thumbs down” voting because it just invites negativity and defensiveness into discussions.
Draven Moss
I agree. I think we should abandon “down voting” and only have “up voting”, similar to the old system.
stymeedone
Are you surprised that there are people that do not agree with your opinion?
Only counting positives is like not keeping score in my daughter’s little league game. Don’t want anyone’s feelings hurt.
Ray Ray
Not a bit surprised, in fact I think it proves my point. It has nothing to do with hurt feelings. It is all about not giving the power to trolls and other vindictive types.
BTW, I have no problem with anyone disagreeing with me, but they should do it like you did. Actually writing a response, not just clicking a button. If you just click a button to disagree, how will a person learn why others disagree with him? I have changed my mind many times due to an argument presented, but I am surely not going to change my mind just because of a score of -2 with no explanation.
JRS-72
I think it’s a bad idea for the Reds to trade Bruce. His contract is cheap for his production and he is still in his prime.