Jay Bruce Doesn't Care If He Stays A Met

Newsday.com:

For Bruce, those boos for a childhood hero served as an eye-opener. They would be behind the first steps in an ongoing journey toward emotional detachment.

It is a strategy born not from bitterness but from pragmatism. The method may be cold. But the years have taught Bruce that to endure the wild swings of this game, it is necessary.

“First of all, and this is with all due respect to everyone reading this, how the fans think I feel — or how they create to themselves how I feel or how I look — could not have less of an impact on my day-to-day life. Someone the other day was like, ‘Oh, I could see it.’ No, they couldn’t. They assumed. They assumed that because I had a bad stretch, it’s ‘Oh, the market, New York City is too big.’ Oh, like I’m not able to perform under this pressure. Well, they’re lying to themselves.”

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“I believe that teams care about their players to the extent that they are required to, essentially. I believe that every team, every smart team, should always be looking to improve upon what they have. And if trading me helps you improve your roster, then I say go for it. I don’t care, I really don’t.”

What a dumb thing to say. I get that he's frustrated with all the trade talk and critics saying that he can't handle the spotlight of playing in New York. But why not let your bat do the talking and prove them wrong, instead of letting the fans think that you don't care if you play well or don't. Jay Bruce gets paid millions of dollars to play baseball, pretending like you don't give a shit just sends the wrong message.

Boomer and Carton: Mets name Jay Bruce as starting right fielder

Bottom line, Michael Conforto could hit major league hitting consistently, he should've proven it by now. Keeping Bruce has always made the most sense, esp. when you consider that he enters a walk year.

RELATED: Mets plan to keep Jay Bruce, and that leaves Michael Conforto in an awkward place

What's the latest with Jay Bruce and the New York Mets Outfield?

Does Jay Bruce Have A Future With The Mets?

Forbes.com:

When the New York Mets acquired outfielder Jay Bruce from the Cincinnati Reds at the deadline, his $13 million team option for 2017 seemed below market value. Bruce, 29, managed a .265 batting average with 25 home runs in the first half of 2016 for the Reds. Despite his ineptitude in the field and versus left-handed pitching, his first half production would have been a boon for the hampered Mets’ offense.

Bruce struggled mightily upon his arrival in Queens, however, hitting just .219 with eight home runs. To his credit, he showed flashes of brilliance over his final 28 plate appearances, batting .480.

With almost $20 million in arbitration raises, and the likelihood of extending Neil Walker’s $17.2 million qualifying offer, the Mets’ Opening Day payroll could see a $30 million spike (assuming the team makes a run at re-signing Yoenis Cespedes). The presence of Curtis Granderson and Michael Conforto also displaces Bruce, putting his future with the Mets in question.

Still, general manager Sandy Alderson may retain Bruce on his team option, and attempt to spin him off in a trade.

IMO the Mets have to re-sign Jay Bruce. Michael Conforto had his chance to be an everyday outfielder, but blew it. Bruce like Granderson is a streaky hitter, but they're both vets and have proven to be more than capable of providing big hits when you need them.