Royals interested in Bruce?

[westofyou]

I wish I had a nickel for every time I read this after a Bruce hot streak.

I wish I had one for every time I read he sucked air and is a waste.

We could pool our money and get a sixer

[WrongVerb]

I don't think Bruce is on a hot streak. His play this year is very consistent. It's not feeling like his other streaks felt; he's more of a cog than putting the team on his back. I suspect we're on the verge of seeing a monster 2-3 week stretch out of him where we'll say "there's that hot streak we knew he had in him."

[WrongVerb]

I put this in another thread but it really wasn't an appropriate place for the discussion...

I still think it would behoove any fan to take up a competitive endeavor. It doesn't have to be a sport, but definitely something that takes time and practice to become a proficient amateur, at least. Mine is bowling. Lots of people choose golf. Anyway, it really does give you some insight into how a small injury can affect your performance, how your body changes over time, how you have to maintain a mental focus, all of that. Then realize that at the top professional level, all of that is magnified about 100x against people who are all the time looking for ways to get the best of you, never mind the pressure of playing in front of millions of people for millions of dollars. That type of performance doesn't come from rolling out of bed. And an injury to the knee, in a sport that requires balance and agility, yes, that is going to alter your mechanics in ways you can't even imagine. To suggest that someone wouldn't be affected by such things is absurd, especially at the very top professional level.

[Ron Madden]

Here's another opinion on Jay Bruce.

https://calltothepen.com/2016/06/08/...bouncing-back/

[TRF]

Just for grins here is Bruce's game log for this year. Mostly because I like posting tables.

DATE	OPP	RESULT	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	OBP	SLG	OPS	AVG
4/4/2016	vs PHI	W 6-2	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	0	1	0.250	0.250	0.500	0.250
4/6/2016	vs PHI	W 3-2	4	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.375	0.375	0.750	0.375
4/7/2016	vs PHI	W 10-6	4	2	3	0	0	2	5	0	0	0.500	1.000	1.500	0.500
4/8/2016	vs PIT	L 6-5	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.438	0.800	1.238	0.400
4/9/2016	vs PIT	W 5-1	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	3	0.400	0.684	1.084	0.368
4/10/2016	vs PIT	W 2-1	4	0	2	0	1	0	1	0	0	0.417	0.739	1.156	0.391
4/11/2016	@ CHC	L 5-3	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0.357	0.630	0.987	0.333
4/13/2016	@ CHC	L 9-2	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0.313	0.567	0.880	0.300
4/14/2016	@ CHC	L 8-1	3	1	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	0.361	0.606	0.967	0.333
4/15/2016	@ STL	L 14-3	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.325	0.541	0.866	0.297
4/16/2016	@ STL	W 9-8	5	1	2	0	0	1	2	0	1	0.333	0.595	0.928	0.310
4/17/2016	@ STL	L 4-3	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.327	0.565	0.892	0.304
4/18/2016	vs COL	L 5-1	4	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	3	0.321	0.560	0.881	0.300
4/19/2016	vs COL	W 4-3	4	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0.298	0.519	0.817	0.278
4/20/2016	vs COL	W 6-5	4	1	2	0	0	1	2	0	0	0.311	0.569	0.880	0.293
4/21/2016	vs CHC	L 16-0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0.313	0.550	0.863	0.283
4/22/2016	vs CHC	L 8-1	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.313	0.540	0.853	0.286
4/23/2016	vs CHC	W 13-5	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	0.324	0.523	0.847	0.277
4/24/2016	vs CHC	L 9-0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0.320	0.500	0.820	0.265
4/29/2016	@ PIT	L 4-1	4	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.316	0.500	0.816	0.264
4/30/2016	@ PIT	L 5-1	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.313	0.480	0.793	0.253
Monthly Totals			75	9	19	3	1	4	15	5	17	0.313	0.480	0.793	0.253
5/1/2016	@ PIT	W 6-5	3	0	1	1	0	0	2	1	2	0.322	0.487	0.809	0.256
5/2/2016	vs SF	L 9-6	4	1	1	0	1	0	1	0	1	0.319	0.500	0.819	0.256
5/3/2016	vs SF	L 3-1	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.305	0.477	0.782	0.244
5/4/2016	vs SF	W 7-4	4	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	2	0.303	0.478	0.781	0.244
5/5/2016	vs MIL	W 9-5	4	1	1	0	0	1	3	0	2	0.301	0.500	0.801	0.245
5/6/2016	vs MIL	W 5-1	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.299	0.490	0.789	0.245
5/7/2016	vs MIL	L 13-7	5	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	2	0.295	0.485	0.780	0.243
5/8/2016	vs MIL	L 5-4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0.284	0.467	0.751	0.234
5/9/2016	vs PIT	W 3-2	Did not play
5/11/2016	vs PIT	L 5-4	4	1	2	0	0	1	2	0	0	0.292	0.495	0.787	0.243
5/13/2016	@ PHI	L 3-2	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.285	0.482	0.767	0.237
5/14/2016	@ PHI	L 4-3	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	0.291	0.479	0.770	0.239
5/15/2016	@ PHI	W 9-4	3	3	3	1	0	0	0	2	0	0.318	0.500	0.818	0.258
5/16/2016	@ CLE	L 15-6	4	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	0.324	0.500	0.824	0.266
5/17/2016	@ CLE	L 13-1	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.331	0.504	0.835	0.276
5/18/2016	vs CLE	L 8-7	4	3	3	0	0	2	2	1	0	0.347	0.557	0.904	0.290
5/19/2016	vs CLE	L 7-2	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0.338	0.541	0.879	0.281
5/20/2016	vs SEA	L 8-3	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0.329	0.525	0.854	0.273
5/21/2016	vs SEA	L 4-0	Did not play
5/22/2016	vs SEA	L 5-4	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0.327	0.518	0.845	0.270
5/23/2016	@ LAD	L 1-0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.321	0.507	0.828	0.264
5/24/2016	@ LAD	L 8-2	4	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0.319	0.507	0.826	0.264
5/25/2016	@ LAD	L 3-1	4	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	0	0.317	0.513	0.830	0.263
5/27/2016	@ MIL	L 9-5	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.310	0.500	0.810	0.256
5/28/2016	@ MIL	W 7-6	5	1	2	0	0	0	1	0	2	0.313	0.497	0.810	0.261
5/29/2016	@ MIL	L 5-4	3	1	1	0	0	1	1	1	1	0.317	0.512	0.829	0.262
5/30/2016	@ COL	W 11-8	5	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.314	0.509	0.823	0.260
5/31/2016	@ COL	L 17-4	4	1	3	1	1	1	2	0	0	0.323	0.549	0.872	0.272
Monthly Totals			98	19	28	7	3	6	18	7	25	0.330	0.602	0.932	0.286
6/1/2016	@ COL	W 7-2	4	1	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	0.321	0.559	0.880	0.271
6/2/2016	@ COL	W 11-4	5	1	2	1	1	0	2	0	1	0.323	0.571	0.894	0.275
6/3/2016	vs WSH	W 7-2	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.317	0.559	0.876	0.269
6/4/2016	vs WSH	W 6-3	4	2	3	0	0	1	1	0	0	0.325	0.579	0.904	0.279
6/5/2016	vs WSH	L 10-9	3	2	1	0	0	1	3	2	1	0.332	0.591	0.923	0.280
6/7/2016	vs STL	W 7-6	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.330	0.584	0.914	0.279
Monthly Totals			24	7	8	1	1	3	7	2	3	0.385	0.833	1.218	0.333
			AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	OBP	SLG	OPS	AVG
Totals			197	35	55	11	5	13	40	14	45	0.330	0.584	0.914	0.279

Seems fairly consistent. A few cool streaks, a few warm ones too.

[oregonred]

[Big Klu]

I wish I had one for every time I read he sucked air and is a waste.

We could pool our money and get a sixer

[Gainesville Red]

Fangraphs: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/how-t...rding-to-plan/

[Tuff Nut]

Royals are offering Yordano Ventura in trades:



Bruce for Ventura?

That's a big harenaw from me.

[Cannon]

Ventura for Bruce? Jesus please no. Ventura is a cancer.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Just because you aren't spending the money doesn't mean you throw it away (Jocketty recently said there aren't many funds available for improvement). If you extend Bruce three - four years, you most likely end up with an overpaid aging OF. The last couple of years of that contract, they'll probably be looking to start negotiating early extensions with the current crop of young guns. That also could be a time where they would like to add a FA or higher-priced rental arm or bat. Be a shame to have to walk away from a contract, because you're over-paying an aging bat with diminishing skills. Move Bruce, Cozart, Phillips and yes, even Votto, the first time you get the right offer.

I will say that if you can't get anything at all for Jay then keep him and buy him out - maybe even pick up his option in the unlikely event his offensive renaissance continues, but no more.

I agree with the final bit. I wasn't suggesting extending him. Simply riding out the contract and letting him go via FA when the time comes. If he's still producing well (and I think he will be) then you give him a QO. At least that's how I'd handle it. But if a team blows the Reds away with an offer...that'll work too.

[BluegrassRedleg]

Ventura for Bruce? Jesus please no. Ventura is a cancer.

He's a guy that needs to quit throwing at people intentionally. Nothing more, nothing less.

Fantastic talent.

[Wonderful Monds]

Just because you aren't spending the money doesn't mean you throw it away (Jocketty recently said there aren't many funds available for improvement). If you extend Bruce three - four years, you most likely end up with an overpaid aging OF. The last couple of years of that contract, they'll probably be looking to start negotiating early extensions with the current crop of young guns. That also could be a time where they would like to add a FA or higher-priced rental arm or bat. Be a shame to have to walk away from a contract, because you're over-paying an aging bat with diminishing skills. Move Bruce, Cozart, Phillips and yes, even Votto, the first time you get the right offer.

I will say that if you can't get anything at all for Jay then keep him and buy him out - maybe even pick up his option in the unlikely event his offensive renaissance continues, but no more.

Pass me what you're huffing, pal, sounds like some of the good stuff.

[mth123]

I Still say the Reds should be talking to the Mets. With Wright, Duda and Legares all out, they have to be in the market for reinforcements (the Kelly Johnson deal is throwing a bucket of water at a raging fire IMO) . Add that even when healthy the MI there is pretty questionable defensively. Seems like a perfect spot for both Bruce and Cozart. Bruce plays 1B until Duda is back and gives them an extra bat when he is back (if Duda comes back. A stress fracture in the back may be something that keeps being aggravated with activity). Alternatively, they could put Bruce in LF with Conforto at 1B. Either way, it would solve a huge problem for the Mets. The LH pop missing with Duda out would be restored. Cozart would be a huge upgrade to the MI defense at SS and would allow Cabrera to slide over to 3B in Wright's place. IF and when Wright comes back, the depth will serve them well. He has lots of issues and will need frequent rest.

I'd ask for Gavin Cecchini who would provide the Reds all the things in the MI that Peraza lacks. He's a SS who hits, with on Base skill and no question about sticking at SS. He's also a bit light in the power department, but has more than Peraza. This would allow Peraza to stick to 2B or possibly some OF if needed. I'd also ask for Brandon Nimmo. He's another lefty hitting OF, but unlike Waldrop and Schebler he really can play all three OF spots and seems to have some decent on base ability. He probably doesn't have as much power as either of those guys, but the overall package probably makes him a better choice as a potential RF or 4th OF. To sweeten the deal, I'd ask for a couple of arms. Robert Gsellman is a control specialist type starting pitcher who is having a fine season in AA with a 2.71 ERA and a K:BB ratio in excess of 3:1 in 66 Innings. Finally I'd ask for Marcos Molina. He's a kid with a 60 FB, a 55 Slider and 55 Control. He's recovering from TJ which makes this a buy low opportunity, but he could be a high end reliever in a couple years or a decent starter if his change-up gets better.

That deal would give the Reds the Mets number 3, 4, 8 and 12 prospects in exchange for a allowing the Mets to fill a couple of glaring needs with player performing at an All Star caliber

The 2017 Reds:

Cecchini SS
Winker RF
Votto 1B
Duvall LF
Mesoraco C (Hope)
Suarez 3B
Phillips 2B
Pitcher
Hamilton CF

The bench would include:

Nimmo 4th OF
Peraza Super Sub
Barnhart C
and a couple decent PH options that they could scrounge up. Selsky, Schebler and Waldrop would all be candidates but maybe somebody else.

The rotation would lack a number 1, but Desclafani, Bailey, Reed, Stephenson, Strailey, Finnegan and Lamb would be my main candidates.
Iglesias, Lorenzen and Cingrani along with two of those rotation guys would form a talented back of the bullpen along with guys like Moscot, Weiss, and other pen options.

In AAA Garrett, Gsellman, Stephens, Davis and Romano would all be pushing for a spot. Travieso's struggles suggest a need to repeat AA at least to start out with Mahle and Mella and maybe the Molina kid.

[corkedbat]

I wish I had one for every time I read he sucked air and is a waste.

We could pool our money and get a sixer

Yes, but he exhales Carbon Dioxide which aids plant growth.