Mets: Analyzing trade value and potential returns

JAY BRUCE
The Mets took a shot acquiring Jay Bruce before the deadline last season. After a 50-game sample, most wrote off the move as a bad one. The Mets were actively seeking a trade partner in the off-season but nothing materialized so Bruce stuck around.
This season, it’s been happy returns. Bruce has kept the valleys shorter and the peaks longer. His 20 homers rank tied for fifth in the Majors. He’s also top 20 in the league in RBI (52) and he’s sporting an .882 OPS which would be a new mark if he maintains that pace.
Bruce has also worked on his defense. In 107 career games in the outfield as a Met, he’s committed two errors. He also had a spin at first base when the Mets were struggling for options while Duda was on the shelf. At 30 years old, Bruce is in a similar position that he found himself in with the Reds. Will there be a different result?
The trade value for Bruce isn’t going to get much higher than it is currently. If the Mets don’t pull the trigger on a deal then you risk losing him for nothing in the off-season anyway. There are some obstacles in potential deals for Bruce.
The number of options are limited because most National League teams are well back in the playoff race. A trade to an American League team is more likely and Toronto may be a potential ticket. The Blue Jays don’t have a standout farm system, but there are some intriguing prospects. The issue that could drive the trade value down is if Bruce is viewed as just a rental by whichever team scoops him up.