The Mets signed a reliever, but there are still other areas for general manager Sandy Alderson to address. Pete Caldera/NorthJersey.com
The Mets have acquired Jay Bruce -- again.
Bruce will return to Flushing after agreeing to a three-year, $39 million deal, sources confirmed. The 30-year-old projects to be the team's starting right fielder and can also play first base if needed, and he will earn $10 million this upcoming season. Bruce will make $14.5 million from 2019-20, and has a five-team no-trade clause, per a source.
ESPN first reported the agreement.
The Mets were in need of at least one bat this offseason, and their search to upgrade the offense has led to what can be considered a surprising reunion.
Though Bruce enjoyed his time with the Mets from 2016-17 before being traded this past August to the Indians, it seemed possible he could land a sizable deal in free agency. Certain parameters would have priced out the Mets, who want to avoid lengthy deals, and other teams --like the Giants -- had more glaring outfield needs than the Mets had.
The position-player market has moved slowly, though, and the Mets' aggressiveness allowed them to capitalize and land a quality player.
Bruce provides the team with another power bat that can anchor the middle of the lineup, and he should be exposed more to first base this upcoming season. The Mets want to have a backup option in case Dominic Smith needs more seasoning, and having Bruce play first base during spring training can make him a viable option at the position.
The veteran has played first base just 15 times in his 10-year career.
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Before signing Bruce, the Mets had been linked to hybrid outfielder/first baseman types like Adam Lind and Logan Morrison. It seemed the Mets could opt for a more cost-conscious piece for that role, but they decided to spend to acquire Bruce.
Bruce also provides the team another strong voice in a clubhouse that lacked leaders down the stretch, and the Mets now has insurance while they wait for Michael Conforto to heal following surgery shoulder. It's not expected that Conforto will be ready for the start of the season, but Bruce can now help pick up some of the slack.
Once Conforto is healthy, the Mets figure to start Yoenis Cespedes in left field, Conforto in center field and Bruce in right field. While Conforto is not a natural center fielder, he has shown he can be a serviceable defender at a premium defensive position.
Bruce's return figures to affect Juan Lagares the most since Lagares had been in line to start in center field if the team did not make a major move. With Bruce on board, Lagares seems slated to once again be a bench player once Conforto is healthy.
It's possible the Mets could look to trade Lagares to try to fill other holes on their roster with the team still needing at least one infielder. Lagares is scheduled to earn $6.5 million in 2018 and $9 million in 2019, and is still a premier defensive outfielder.
Bruce earned his three-year deal after hitting a career-best 36 homers and driving in 101 runs with the Mets and Indians. While with the Mets, Bruce hit .245 with 37 homers and a .796 OPS, becoming a fan favorite after an awful showing after arriving from Cincinnati in 2016. The Mets originally acquired Bruce in a trade in July of that year.
The veteran's return to New York also reunites him with new Mets manager Mickey Callaway, who he connected with during his brief stint in Cleveland. The Mets received Class A pitching prospect Ryder Ryan in exchange for Bruce.
Bruce is the second player the Mets have signed this offseason along with righty reliever Anthony Swarzak, who signed a two-year deal worth $14 million. Bruce's deal is one of the biggest contracts received by a position player thus far this offseason.
The Mets backloaded both deals and will pay the pair a combined $15.5 million in 2018.
Even with Bruce on board, the Mets are still in need of either a second baseman or third baseman. Trade options include Josh Harrison, Cesar Hernandez and Starlin Castro, while ex-Mets Neil Walker and Jose Reyes, and Howie Kendrick are free agents.