Five months after being traded from the Mets to the Indians, Jay Bruce is back in New York. The Mets announced on Tuesday that Bruce has re-signed with the team on a new three-year deal. Bruce, a client of Sosnick, Cobbe & Karon, will reportedly be guaranteed $39MM on the contract and will also pick up a partial no-trade clause that allows him to annually specify five teams to which he cannot be traded. A press conference will be held on Wednesday morning (at which point, presumably, a corresponding 40-man roster move will also be announced).
The three-year deal for Bruce reportedly comes with a $3MM signing bonus that’ll be paid out in $1.5MM installments in 2019 and 2020. He’ll earn $10MM this coming season as well as $13MM in both 2019 and 2020.
“I’m excited to return to the Mets to help finish what we set out to do at the beginning of last season and return to the postseason for the best fans in baseball,” said Bruce in a statement issued via the team’s press release. “We have a terrific group of guys in place and I’m excited to get back to work.”
Bruce has long been a reported target of the Mets, and Mike Puma of the New York Post reported hours before the signing that the two sides had been in contact in the days leading up to the agreement. New York has been seeking an outfielder that can also serve as an insurance policy at first base in the event that young Dominic Smith continues to struggle, and Bruce fits that description to some degree. While Bruce’s experience at first base is limited, he did appear in 12 games at first base with the Mets this past season and worked out there quite a bit before seeing in-game action at the position.
It’s been something of a tumultuous ride for Bruce with the Mets, as he struggled mightily after initially being acquired prior to the non-waiver trade deadline in 2016. Bruce finished that ’16 campaign well but sat through an offseason rife with trade rumors swirling around his name. The Mets reportedly shopped Bruce extensively but weren’t able to drum up much interest. Instead, Bruce returned to Queens and significantly bolstered his stock with a .266/.334/.538 slash in the season’s first half. That production led to a trade to Cleveland, where Bruce continued to hit well down the stretch and in the postseason.
Overall, Bruce turned in a strong .254/.324/.508 slash with a career-best 36 home runs during the regular season. Cleveland’s stay in the postseason was rather abbreviated in nature, but Bruce’s .278/.333/.667 slash and two homers — one of which was a dramatic, game-tying solo shot off David Robertson in the bottom of the eighth inning in Cleveland — certainly helped the Indians push the American League Division Series to five games. Now, Bruce will return to an organization that has come to value his presence not only in the lineup but also in the clubhouse.
“Jay has proven to be a leader both on and off the field while continuing to produce at a high level throughout his major league career,” GM Sandy Alderson said in a statement announcing the deal. “We’re glad to have Jay back in the fold as we continue our pursuit to return to the postseason.”
[Related: Updated New York Mets depth chart and New York Mets payroll]
The Mets have informed Bruce that he’ll likely play some first base this time around, tweets Puma, though it stands to reason that the amount of time he sees at the position will be tied directly to how well the 22-year-old Smith is able to adjust to big league pitching. (Smith hit just .198/.262/.395 through 183 plate appearances as a rookie in 2017.) Of course, Bruce also figures to see plenty of time — if not the majority of his time — in the outfield corners. Currently, the Mets have Yoenis Cespedes, Juan Lagares, Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo in their outfield mix, though Lagares’ name has been mentioned frequently in trade rumors and Conforto is returning from significant shoulder surgery.
Between Conforto’s shoulder injury, Smith’s inexperience and the litany of maladies that prevented Cespedes and Lagares from taking the field with regularity in 2017, it seems likely that new manager Mickey Callaway (who knows Bruce well already from his two months in Cleveland) should have ample opportunity to get Bruce into the lineup.
Remarkably, despite the fact that we’re now into the middle third of January, Bruce’s $39MM guarantee is the second-largest guaranteed sum to which any position player has agreed this winter. (Bruce’s former Indians teammate, Carlos Santana, has the largest agreement at $60MM in Philadelphia.) Of the top 20 players on MLBTR’s top 50 free agent rankings back in November, just seven have found new homes, including Bruce. MLBTR’s projection of a three-year, $39MM pact for Bruce proved to be accurate, albeit with a different team.
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick first reported the agreement (on Twitter). Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic tweeted the terms of the deal. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported the annual breakdown of the deal (Twitter links). The New York Post’s Ken Davidoff reported the partial no-trade clause (Twitter link).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Well that’s not very exciting.
It’s better than nothing, I bet this years top FA won’t sign until next off-season.
They still need a 2b and 3b. Should trade for Castro and sign Frazier.
No they don’t, Asdrubal is good and the Mets have great depth in the infield with Flores and Rivera.
I like Rivera but I feel like he’s better utilized as a utility infielder. Flores is eh. Not a good fielder, no speed, doesn’t get on base enough.
They’re not horrible players, but there are better options out their, albeit at a cost. Adding Castro and maybe Lucroy would significantly improve the roster.
I think they need one more guy. Castro or Frazier would be fine, so would Walker. As is they are potentially ok with Flores/Rosario/Cabrera but there is a lot of potential downside there and they could use more depth, as well as another option for 1b
Bro, you could be a mariners fan. Cmon
Welp is this one real?
Also, even though it kinda makes sense, still shocked about it. I didn’t think he’d go back without a payday, which I guarantee didn’t happen.
3yr/39MM is still a pretty solid payday for Bruce
It would be a solid payday if he hadn’t been looking for 5 years/$80-$90m. Everyone knew he wouldn’t get that, but it’s still a significant drop in price.
How ever will he survive on just $39 million?
To be fair, the pay wasn’t up when I said this. Also I thought he was asking for more but I digress.
Well half goes to Federal, state and municipal taxes and agent fees. Just small change left
I guess this is the market for corner outfielders. Trumbo got 3/42 last year, right? I’d much rather have Bruce than Trumbo.
Unless your name is Harper…..
Wow I wasn’t expecting this. He will probably be traded in 2019 though. Finally some action !!!!!!!!! Lol. I have mixed feelings about this signing though but at least he isn’t strong overpaid
39mil might be the steal of the offseason
How? He’s about to be 31 and counts solely on power numbers.
Dude was seeking 5 years and 90million bucks, 39 over three years not bad, and I didn’t even want him back in New York
One thing I’ve learned is you can demand anything you want. Just like Arietta wants 200M and won’t get it, Cobb was 90M and won’t get it and JD wants 200M and won’t get it.
Hey 31-he will be greeted back to Citifield with a chorus of boos as soon as he hits the skids in a slump. From there it will persist
I agree with that. None of those guys are worth their asking prices.
I’m an era with middle tier players getting overpaid at times it’s a good deal for the mets
Power ages well — much better than speed.
I think there’s reasons to be hopeful this might be one of the biggest steals of the off-season. I’m sorry guys, I’d rather pay Bruce $39M, over 3 years, than JD Martinez six years $150MM (Mlbtr Estimate) or seven years $200MM (His agent’s ‘demands”)
Power that is reliant on bat speed does not age well.
Without a doubt. Martinez is a typical rapid decline player that averages the exact same HR production that Bruce does.
Hey xabial-not sure where the comparison comes from. The Coupons would never cough up that much money. I suggest you get some strong coffee so you can focus on the realities of Mets fans;)
He was a 3 WAR player last year but off a 3 year stretch where he was not much better than replacement level. I think though that this works out well for both player and team if his knees stay healthy
IF is not possible with the Mets.
Are we talking ‘Pirates to trade Cole’ or is this actually legit
story posted 4 minutes prior says Bruce to sign with mystery team, more to come. why does this need another separate article?
To give you the opportunity to piss, moan, whine and complain about nothing.
Your comment has Hall of Fame status written all over it. It could be the generic response to the majority of comments left on blogs/news sites.
Why did you even waste time typing this out?
So that we could waste time typing these out, unfortunately
I like the move…but…that probably means we’re not going to fill third base this off season.
That’s what I was thinking too. Team speed remains concern but this would give Ces some protection.
Bruuuucccceeee
Considering how the big free agents are being stalled by Boras teams can get very good deals for talent like Bruce and Morrison. The lower end of the free agent pool won’t wait any longer
I think you are right. I’m guessing Colorado jumps for LoMo next.
Morrison will be the biggest steal this off season and will make the eventual Hosmer contract look bad unless he turns back into a pumpkin. He would replace Reynolds I would imagine if they signed him
The Royals have a void at first and he has stated he would love to play for his hometown team. My guess is he gives them a team friendly deal to get to play there if they miss out on Hos
Lomo not always good in club house
A little bit of a head case buyer be aware!
A value for power maybe
This wont help them win anything, but the team friendly deal was too easy to pass up
He’s not the prettiest talent, but he’s a proven commodity and I think he’s due for a career year/outlier year over the course of the contract
At 31 years old a career year isn’t that likely. He is what he is and it’s pretty solid
Spoken like a Yankee fan lol
Spoken like a anti Yankee person when the Yankee fan in question said absolutely nothing wrong………
You’re welcome here anytime…
He’s anti-Yankee, but correct in his sentiment against you. I wish he expressed his opinion in a less generalizing way because I’m a Yankee fan too, and disagree it “isn’t likely” Bruce has another career year in the duration of that contract. Having Bruce for his age 31-33 seasons, It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for Bruce to throw in a career year.
Old man Ellsbury is already older than Bruce will be when his Mets’ contract expires… and has the same # years remaining, at almost double Bruce’s yearly salary. It’s “not likely” Ellsbury has a career year, or outlier anytime soon. Actually, “not likely” he gets traded at all — But that’s another story….
But, anything goes for Bruce’s career trajectory, ages 31-33.
(Yankee fan)
Hey X…even non Yankee fans know to compare apples with Apples. Contracts like Elsbury’s are not thrown around any longer, at least not by the Yankees. And he’s the 4th or 5th outfielder in the rotation depending on spring.
Welcome back to Queens, Jay. You proved you can handle New York.
Lol
Pretty good deal for the Mets. Too bad for Mets fans that is probably all they’ll do.
We’ll sign a high leverage reliever before it’s all said and done. And don’t say Swarzak. He’s a mid-in guy
Well that and he’s already signed. But hey
Also Cleveland losses another bat from their lineup. They will also take some big losses next off season unless they open up their check book (miller will get a big raise). If they don’t open it up their very good bullpen they have made over the last 3 or so years will be gutted
Sure but spending 39 mil now would stop them from having a chance to sign Miller and company.
For 3/39, I’m a little disappointed the Indians didn’t try harder to bring him back. That’s a fairly solid price.
With Allen, Zimmer, Naquin, Bradley, Chis, Brantley (?), Tom, and Papi you just don’t have an open spot after next year. Alonso takes out 1b as well. Think we add another arm with what we would have spent here
I’m interested to see what is to come of Naquin/Zimmer…like will you guys keep both?
Summer yes but Naquin could be had easily; he needs a fresh start elsewhere anyway.
What are you talking about, nonsense as usual from you pal
Allen and (especially) Bradley need more time in the minors, Naquin isn’t very good, Papi is a non-prospect, and if you’re talking about Ka’ai Tom then he’s a 23 year old in A ball. Brantley, Zimmer, and Chisenhall will probably be the starting outfield but all three of those guys had significant injuries at some point last season, and it’s probably not smart to assume they’ll all be healthy.
I agree that they could add an arm with that money, but for $13 million, Jay Bruce is a pretty good insurance policy.
About as good as you can ask for when you’re dealing with a team as averse to spending money as the Mets.
Mets won’t make playoffs
Okay Brewers fan
Wow. Eventually how was your winter vacation? Been hiding the past 6 or so weeks? Get some hot broth to regain your strength. Just avoid any medicines to make you hyper because in the past you’ve gone out on a limb using them with wild predictions and then find yourself on the ground with some leaves.
Absolutely stupid of the Giants not to offer something better! This was not a crazy offer by the Mets and he talked about his desire to play for the Giants. He made a ton of sense with his power and good defense. What the heck is this organization doing???!!!
Bobby Evans needs to go…period!
Well he doesn’t play CF… they are better off putting that money towards Cain. Or Dyson and saying 30+ million for other needs.
I’m surprised as hell. Figured SF or maybe even Oakland
Why in hell Oakland? They got Olson at first and already have too many left handed hitting outfielders.
It’s not stupid at all, JD Martinez is a way, way better hitter. Giants are a near-certainty to get him instead. Cain too. Pence to LF, SF isn’t that far off once they get everyone back.
How are the Giants a near-certainty to get JD? They’ve barely been connected to him at all recently, and his salary alone would probably put them over the luxury tax.
Are they also going to sign Harper next offseason?
Seriously … puff, puff, give.
Giants won’t sign anyone who was given a qualified offer they would lose their 2nd rd pick. I see them trading for Hamilton or Mccutchen or going with a low cost option Cargo and maybe Jon Jay
He’s not good defensively. He’s adequate.
I personally don’t see what’s so stupid…why go over the luxury tax? See what the kids got (Duggar, Slater, Shaw), if its not great you got money to spend next off-season. If the (in my opinion) risky Jay Bruce or overhyped Hosmer or aging Lorenzo Cain are the big free agent hitters they can do better next off-season. The market could be pretty big year giving some more options. There could be some bargains with teams potentially dropping stacks on Harper and Machado.
Next move is to flip cespedes for a CF and free up sime money for some other moves.
Negative. Cespedes will be on a mission. All he needs is health lol
Something mets should consider. But doubtful
Trade Cespedes back to Oakland, who don’t really have a LF right now.
how are you going to flip out contract he just signed it
How will the Mets screw this up?
Give it time.
Just talk to the trainers for that.
Problem: Lots of OF options
Solution: Another, more highly-paid OF option!
As much as I agree with you on the Mets’ ineptitude, Conforto may never play again.
Yeah, edited that part at the last minute, my bad.
He may not play again ? Was he injured that horribly ? I didn’t get the details on his injury
No one has said anything of the sort.
The first separated shoulder makes the next ever increasingly likely.
Cespedes, an injured Conforto and……..Nimmo? Bringing back Bruce isn’t a bad move
The Mets’ outfield isn’t complete without options that block Conforto’s playing time.
Exactly what Sandy was thinking.
Sandy doesn’t think. He reacts.
I thought the giants would snag him. For this salary it is shocking they didn’t do so unless they are holding back on payroll for now
I thought the Blue Jays would snag him.
Giants were always a dark horse option because they had the worst OF last year and also desired more power in their lineup.
Blue Jays were on his No-Trade List for the last few years. I guess he didn’t want to play there.
I was hoping he’d wind up with Jays, he’d fill a couple of needs! You have to respect a guy going to back to a former team, though – instant fan favourite!
Random guesses…
1. They Giants want a right-hander with power, not a leftie.
2. They want better defense.
3. They are saving that money to pay for a younger CF or RF via trade. They have like $15 million to spend and he’d cost a lot of it.
Who would have guessed it be him to start the dominoes falling…
What happened to “the Mets have $10,000,000 to spend”
Unless this is significantly back-loaded, they either dropped all their money, or they’ve been bluffing.
They still have time to move $3M off their books.
they’d be selling low if they dealt Familia or Ramos now. Otherwise, who do they have making anything that they can move. They’ve tried for Lagares and theres little to no interest.
It’s “in the details”!
How else do you explain the signing bonus payout in the 2nd and 3rd years?
😉
Is Bruce better than a Nimmo/Lagares platoon by WAR?
Bruce’s war is hugely effected negatively due to his bad defense. His bat I would easily take over that platoon
Is there an offense-only baseball league out there? jk jk
Having a platoon of two mediocre hitters doesn’t help at all unless the lineup around them is quite good
he won’t replace them because they don’t play the same position those guys would be center field Bruce is a corner guy
WAR, huh, good god y’all. What is it good for?
War overrates mid to lower tier talent imo. I’ve never like that stat or defensive metrics
I’m betting the reference will be a swing and a miss here.
I like this move… he has proved he can play in New York, his power translates well in Citi field and he is a good club house guy… hopefully we get a second baseman who gets on base ahead of Cespedes and Bruce!
This is good news! After inactivity maybe now the front office starts pushing buttons
Figured it would have been more years. Wonder if other offers were less aav/years or he just really liked NY and the Mets.
13 mil a year for a career .250 hitter. Good right fielder. Only two seasons with over 100 rbi’s. I think he’s more in the 8-9.5mil a year range.
Career .249 hitter, but he has 277 career home runs, and belted at least 20 home runs, every year of his career but one.
He has 69 homers and 56 doubles over the past two seasons.
Bruce added much-needed lineup depth for AL Central-winning Cleveland, that went 42-9 after he arrived in August.
I really like this signing. Mets did well,
Alderson is an idiot.
Life comes at you fast (check the post dates)
mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/jay-bruce-rumor-90-mill…
mlbtraderumors.com/2018/01/mets-to-sign-jay-bruce.…
he seems like very bad news for conforto because him Cespedes and Bruce can’t play the same Outfield so obviously the Mets don’t expect him to be back anytime soon
Guess you haven’t watched much baseball. There are 3 OF positions.
What happened to conforto ?
Giants will trade for him in 2 years when he is older and more expensive. He is way too young for them right now.
Just proves my point that you should always trade expiring contracts if you’re a seller because you can resign them AND get something back in a trade!
lol at the term signing bonus when it’s not being paid at the time of signing, not even the year of signing. goofy
Now you’re just nitpicking.
When Aroldis Chapman signed a five-year $86M contract with NYY…
It included a $11 million signing bonus:
$1M was payable within five days of approval by MLB office, $2.5M each on Feb. 15, and July 1 and $5M on July 1, 2018.
My all time favorite Spread Signing bonus…
also Chapman^ 6 years $30.25M deal with the Reds, included
$16.25M signing bonus: ($1.5M at signing; $1.5M each Nov. 1, 2010-13; $1.25M each Nov. 1, 2014-20)
Spread out Signing bonuses More common than you think, certainly not “goofy”
But I still believe, Bruce should have gotten more than $39 million over 3 years.
not trying to be nitpicking, I really had no idea. would’ve thought signing bonuses are given at signing, otherwise just part of the deal. interesting though. thanks for clarification! hey, I learned something today!
Np^
For what it’s worth, I think a 5-team partial no-trade clause is goofy.
Not enough for me 😀 Bruce needs at least six, one for each division’s last place team, lol
Great for the Mets and their fans! He’ll be easier to move, should the Mets desire. (But anything can happen in 3 years)
For what it’s worth, Carlos Santana’s three year $60M contract with the Phillies had a upfront $10M Signing bonus.
That’s got to be a MLB record (Or close to it) for largest lump-sum Signing bonus, given at signing. (Your exact definition, 99% people associate signing bonus to mean)
Not every MLB signing bonus is paid one-time, at signing. I think most large signing bonuses, are usually deferred. If they aren’t… they are usually smaller than the “spread out” ones. Which is why I think Santana’s contract, takes home the prize. demonstration of Phillies’ wealth^
Nice deal for the Mets. They get some pop at a reasonable price and years. Love Bruce. He played his heart out last year for the Mets. Now if they could only add Todd Frazier on a short term deal…
Cant complain with bringing Bruce back considering he came into the offseason looking for 5 yrs at 17mil per…
He plays decent enough defense and is a lock for .250 25-30hr 90-100 rbi…
Can play some 1B and has proven he can play in New York…
Now sign Frazier for 3B and a veteran starter to eat innings and we can compete for october baseball…leaving room to maneuver at the trade deadline if need be
Extremely intelligent signing.. Bruce profiles as a player that can continue to hit for good power after the age 34 decline season. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Bruce ends up hitting 500 HR’s in his career.
He’s not the typical decline-at-age-34 player. If he has the desire to keep going, he can continue to add more bulk, move to 1B, and still be a productive HR hitter. I hope Jay realizes that he can play another 10 years and finish with over 500 HR’s if he wants to.
Love it!
The NL East goes thru New York City. The Nationals must be pissed.
Highly doubtful. Nats are still easily winning the NL East. Bruce does not make them a contender for even the WC.
Good move for the Mets. They’re still dealing with big unknowns re Conforto and Smith, and this lets them cover both.
They still need a 5th OF (Austin Jackson maybe?), and an IF who can play 2B and back up 1B if Smith flops.
Bruce: 277 career HR’s. JD Martinez: 152. Bruce 162 game avg HR: 32. Martinez: 32
Bruce is a much better long term option. Martinez profiles as a typical after 30 decline player whereas age won’t affect Bruce as much. Teams are simply fumbling on Bruce.
I’ve never seen a player who at age 30 has almost 300 HR’s and 1500 hits so unbelievably undervalued. On top of that someone who profiles as a player who can better survive the over 30 decline
Who cares, neither one will be a factor come october
Why? So they can trade him when they aren’t doing good? I don’t get it, don’t even know what he would want to go back there.
I have a lot of respect for Bruce for gutting it out after having a bad half season after coming over from Cincinnati. But this is the problem I have with this move. He did not hit well at Citifield.
The other problem is this move forces Conforto to play center and right now the Mets are situated as one of the worse fielding team in the majors with little speed. Conforto is not a center fielder and Cespedes is awful in left. Bruce is barely adequate in right field. Their infield is a mess right now as well.
If there is another move, maybe this would work. But it cannot be resigning Reyes or a guy like Howie Kendricks. Given their budget getting a guy like Todd Frazier might be a splurge but he can field and gets on base a lot with power.
I absolutely 100% agree with you
Yep
Didn’t Cespedes win a GG in LF? With a career 38 DRS?
Orioles could have used him as a corner outfielder, Good deal by Mets.
5 clubs … marlins,tampa,oak,Toronto and just in case Montreal!
I really can’t believe Atkins/Shapiro couldn’t sign Jay Bruce. The Blue Jays front office has tried to acquire Bruce since the Cleveland front office moved north to Toronto. The Jays are horribly right handed and in need serious outfield help. Did they offer this much? More? Were they ever truly interested in Jay Bruce? Or are the Jays waiting until the last minute to sell off assets?
Jays front office is playing golf some where south, tooooo cold to be in Toronto.
This is a good signing by the Mets. They got him for a cheap price and if I’m correct they still have some money to spend which is very good for the club because they will get a good player (Bruce) and another average player instead of just a good player.
If you have actually followed the Mets the last couple of years and think this is a good signing then you either have extremely low expectations or think defense and batting average don’t matter.
This was a horrible signing.
Guy can’t field!
Guy can’t hit over .250
It moves Conforto over to CF or puts Bruce at 1B either way it’s bad.
This was a typical Sandy move.
I only have one issue with Sandy – he doesn’t think.
Omar had some pretty bad ideas but at least he thought things out.
Sandy – your drafts have been horrible, your bullpens a disaster and as much as you would like to blame it on the Wilpons – they aren’t the ones putting this joke on the field. You are.
It’s time to pack up and head down to Florida for a much needed early retirement.
It’s 99% the Wilpons. If you followed the Mets for more than a decade you’d know that. Took over in 1991 and never spent across the board, and insist on no budgeting and their needing to approve every penny spent.. The few higher payrolls were guilt trips to prevent fan revolt and paid for by cuts in draft and development monies. Bruce was likely the only guy the Wilpons would approve for so much $$ (for them). Sandy may not be great, but he is not making the final call on anything like this or the draft. Wipons need to approve every pick and signing. Bruce is a guy the Wilpons know, and typical of guy they spend a little on.
I can’t believe you’re making me defend the Wilpons…They “never spent across the board” since 1991?! They DIDN’T STOP spending until Madoff took off with all of their money.. Mets consistently had a top 5 highest payroll throughout the 2000s. 2005 #3, 2006 #3, 2007 #3, 2008 #2, 2009 #2, 2010 #5. I didn’t bother checking before 05 but they were atop those as well.
Well maybe you should look. The payroll in a few years was inflated by back loaded or short term deals during two periods when they felt enormous pressure to do something in the face of fan revolts. A short one in 1999-2001, when Doubleday’s buyout was fixed and the Yankee success had Met fans abandoning the game, and then leading up to the new ball park.. But in each case they stripped the farm/development systems of all funds, and under drafted. They’ve never spent across the board like a major team.
Wilpons need to approve every pick?
Are you kidding me?
As much as I would love Wilpon to spend some more PLEASE don’t place blame on him for something that everyone in the world knows is Sandy’s fault.
Everything that goes wrong with the Mets has to do with Sandy.
Horrible signings year after year after year.
From Frank Francisco to Alajandro de Aza and fielding a lineup that was Triple A at best for years!
Every other team in baseball had more depth in the minors than him.
His biggest move was trading trading Omar’s pieces for prospects??
Yes, the Cespedes move was really good, but everything else (including letting Murphy walk) was horrible.
Mets will be lucky to win 75 games in 2018.
You obviously know little to nothing about the Mets, and likely little to nothing about the Yankees or any other team. Certainly absolutely nothing about the draft and IFA signings, Up until the last few years, these were 80% about money, and 20% about draft position or talent evaluation. Almost every high Met pick for a 10 year period had to be a guy they could sign well below slot (really 2 or 3 rounds before they would normally be drafted).. IFA signings were 95% about money; there was little proprietary scouting. The Met spending was in the bottom 5 for a decade, and dead last twice. Reyes got a tiny bonus and just turned out to be a steal. But almost no international players came from the system for a decade when most teams were exploding with them.
Even today, sign-ability is a Met priority. Do you really think guys like Riccardi and DePodesta had Nimmo and Cerchinni rated top 15-? If you do, you really are clueless. Those were the guys Sandy could sell to the Wilpons as guys who could be signed for a less than slot bonus. Even Conforto, who had the elite bat, was signable for below slot because he had no position (DH’d in college his last 2 years). Even with the “cap” now on international bonuses, the Mets don’t scout Asia and have a weak presence in Latin America. They don’t want to spend on bonuses anywhere, and it affects every pick and every IFA signing.
It’s a team friendly deal. Mets suck and have lots of issues, but in a vacuum, it’s a solid signing. It won’t fix the team, or make fans happy, but it makes sense.
Horrible signing. He adds nothing and now the the cheapskates will spend no more, so real needs will again go unanswered. Also, the only quality hitter to come out of their system in almost a decade, Conforto, cant just be left alone in RF, but will have to play out of position in CF again, and otherwise get jerked around (taken out for defense and held out vs lefties). Great work! Another top ten draft pick is all we have to look forward to.
Wrong. Conforto is an unknown. Smith is an unknown. His covers both. Best case is Conforto plays center smith first Bruce right and we have the team that was suppose to win 90+ games last year. Only difference is now pitching health is a question and with that they are no longer wild card contenders. I know the stupid yankee fan who always bashed TC and Sandy will comment. I don’t give a crap. This is finally a smart signing. Not saying they will win 90 games or even make he playoffs but this is one of the best options out there for this roster to contend. If they can get Frazier for third that would finish off the offense and defense rather nicely. And not break the bank. Cabrera could play second with Flores and Rivera as backups across the infield. Can’t get many better backups then that, with nimmo and lagares (pending trade) as backup outfield. That’s pretty good. Biggest issue last year was depth all around. This covers them with everyday players. Bullpen is pretty deep, wouldn’t mind reed l, but it’s pretty deep. It all comes down to the starting five. Never have they ever all been healthy at the same time. They are set all around, it’s time the young guns come through for them and do what they are suppose to do. We shall see, but this was a great signing, and needs to be followed up with the god father…..now, the floor is open to everyone to bash me lol.
The Frazier signing would be a nice match – 2 yrs/$20mm total. And, it hedges their bets: if Conforto doesn’t make it back, or if (when?) Cespedes gets hurt and Conforto (or Nimoy, worst case) moves to left, either way Bruce plays RF and Frazier can still be there to replace Smith. If the big 3 OF bats are healthy, and Smith works out on at 1B, then the offense should be NL top 5 (behind LAD, WAS and maybe COL/CHI).
*Nimmo, not Nimoy. Sorry!
I won’t bash you because you’re living in dream world.
So whatever you’re doing keep doing it.
Let’s go around the diamond:
C – 2 horrible excuses for catchers
1B – Overweight and hit under 200
2B – old and half way decent
3B – N/A
SS – young and unproven
OF – two injury prone guys and Bruce.
It’s gonna be an amazing year.
Don’t go into talent evaluation. Conforto is as proven a commodity as it gets. He’s hit everywhere and (before the Mets messed him up in May of 2016) every year since little league at an elite level. It’s obvious from his approach and swing that he’s a special hitter. Cespedes is the other above baseline starter the Mets have (when healthy). But Conforto the only one in his prime years.
Bruce has been essentially untradable at the 13 mm level for the past 5 years, unless salary is eaten. Why? Because he’s a below average player all around.
Winning 90 games? LMAO. Mets were a bottom 10 team last year, and downgraded this off season (3rd off season in a row). Maybe you’re delusional enough to buy (for the second straight year) that the Mets had an unusual amount of injuries. They didn’t, when you factor in guys came into the season hurt or questionable. Even healthy, you don’t finish at the top of the standings with 2 above baseline starters, and a bunch of AAA level talents. Of course they have guys who can play positions, but if they’re bottom 10 vs top 10 at those positions among starters, it’s can’t be a surprise when you finish in the bottom 10, or – if the staff holds up – middle 10. But not 90 games absent a miracle.
Can anyone explain David Wright Insurance policy situation and why that can’t or hasn’t been utilized yet?
It has been utilized. It’s in Fred’s piggy bank. Along with the 10-12 mm they saved by trading the expiring contracts (and compelling the receiving team to take on the remaining salary) last year (getting almost no real prospects as a result). You didn’t think the payroll was actually 150 mm (that would be middle market, way too expensive for the Wilpons).
Good move. Shores up the OF and gives some protection at 1B incase Smitty’s BA stays below .200 again. He was a really good part of the lineup last year, and kept up good production when Ces went out with his injury
Since Bruce hits lefty, it wasn’t going to be a match in Cleveland – the lineup was already lefty heavy…
Kinda surprised that the SFGiants didn’t surpass this offer & get Bruce to play out there,,
Wasn’t his option last year $13 million? And didn’t the Mets take heat for exercising it and not dealing an OF last offseason? Not positive if memory serves right, but if I’m right, just funny how now it looks like the majority of people are saying they got a deal even though he’s a year older now and instead of paying him that over 1 year that are paying that each year for the next 3
Yes, and players like him don’t age well. The Mets will be looking for a taker for most of the back two seasons, and the Wilpons will refuse to pay a good chunk of the salary needed to make a deal, and it will go on and on ….
Breaking news…mets just signed David Wright to another 10 year extension. Think he’ll be ready by 2025
All that young Good SP and they are probably fielding the worst defensive team I have ever seen
Considering Bruce made 13 million last season and nobody wanted him at the trade deadline (the only reason the Indians traded a single A pitcher for him in August was that Chisenhall,Brantley and Zimmer were all on the DL) I think he made out very well getting 13 million for 3 years.
Nothing from that Mike Yankees guy? Hm
Now continue acting like a big market team, bring back Addison Reed and sign Moustakas. That leaves CF, catcher and possibly a mid rotation guy as our only question marks. Even then we,might have in house sdolutions if guys step up (Lagares, D’Arnaud, any of our underachieving pitchers).
If the Mets sign Reed and Moustakas, I’ll take back everything I said about the Wilpons for the past 25 or so years. You have a better chance of winning the lottery than seeing that. If they spend another 5 mm sifting through the scrap heap that’s a spending splurge.
Highest offer he was getting was two years at 8.5/9.5 per.
They would have to pick up at least 10 million to trade him now.
Great move Sandy!
What a genius!
You have seventeen holes to fill so you get a guy to replace Conforto – there are no words. Well there is one – incompetent.
At this point, I’m just sit back and enjoy watching this thing burn to the ground.
Ahem, people — patience paid off.
I just don’t understand why the Mets spend like the KC Royals? They are in the NYC Market, don’t they have $ to spend? Is it the Wilpons are cheap or are they choking on old contracts like Bobby Bonilla? I just don’t get it. Citi Field is great, so that cannot be it.
Cheap. It’s how they run their real estate business, why not this. Controlling ownership since 1991.. Long before Madoff (which will cost them net about 25-30 mm when its all said and done, over 13 years). Bonilla gets a few hundred thousand a year.via an annunity – the Wilpon’s add it to the payroll, along with Wright’s salary, so it doesn’t look as bad as it is (although still bottom 10 this year).
Wilpons are cheap, and prefer taking money out to reinvesting.
Bruce’s 5 no-trade teams are Miami, Miami, Miami, Miami, and Florida (just in case they change their name back).
So glad the Rockies didn’t sign him. #IanDesmond2.0
Can someone explain how this is possible…
Jay Bruce’s UZR by year:
2010: +16
2011: 0
2012: (-1)
2013: +16
2014: (-6)
2015: +5
2016: (-11)
2017: +6
If trends hold, he’s pretty much duty bound to be suck-tastic in the OF in 2018
Bad news is you’re not showing his UZR. The good news is that’s his DRS (Defensive runs saved) and you showed all his DRS correct. DRS is a good stat, some believe, even better than UZR. DRS is one of the best, if not best, Defensive stats’ so it’s great, you portrayed Bruce’s defensive performance (DRS) Personally, I believe DRS is even better stat than UZR^ (Can’t go wrong with either)
Now to answer your question.
To people believing there are more FAs to come, keep dreaming. The one thing the Wilpons can be believed about is the cap they signal on spending. They sent the message out that they had 10 mm more to spend. Bruce signed for 13 mm, but only 10 mm this year. A Wilpon trick — backload the contract so it seems like your spending in the first years, and just unlucky to be stuck with a bad contract in later years. They will sign other guys, but nobody significant. Doubt there is another multi-year contract out there, except maybe to a releiver for 2 years (back-loaded of course).
I like Bruce but I don’t like this signing. Bruce is the kind of player who puts an already good team over the top… that ain’t the Mets
FINALLY…. some action. Doesn’t even matter to me… but FINALLY something happened.
They signed him Last week. Why is this news.now.
They agreed to terms with him last week, and we noted it at the time. They formally announced the signing tonight, meaning he’s now passed his physical and the deal is official. That wasn’t the case a week ago when word of the agreement broke.
Everybody now…..
BRUUUUUUUUCCCceeeeeeee
Fix the redirects. Mobile site is unusable.
Commissioner has to stop this! METS BUYING A CHAMPIONSHIP! What happened to parity??