Mets need to shore up outfield depth this winter
Jay Bruce
Almost a year ago  the Mets were overflowing with outfielders. After picking up the option on Jay Bruce's contract and then re-signing Yoenis Cespedes  they had an unbalanced roster and were looking to move an outfielder. Now  after releasing Nori Aoki on Monday  they are down to a manageable four outfielders.
With Conforto having shown that he can play an acceptable center field (and his shoulder injury to his non-throwing arm) the Mets could also add a right fielder to shore up their lineup and outfield. That could mean an attempt to reunite with the player that they had worked so hard to move last year:  Jay Bruce .
The Mets have expressed their interest in bringing  Bruce  back several times  but it seems unlikely.
The 30-year old was awful with the Mets after being acquired at the 2016 trade deadline  but he proved he could play in New York with a turnaround season in 2017 before being dealt to Cleveland in August.  Bruce  only increased  his  worth on the free agent market by helping the Indians finish off a 102-win season. While  he  has publicly said  he  would love to come back to Flushing  privately the Texas native has told Mets officials  his  preference would be to play closer to home.  He  also is looking for a major  multi-year contract  which could be difficult with the Mets' need to reduce payroll.
A reunion with  Jay Bruce  makes sense  but it's unlikely. (David Zalubowski/AP)
Almost a year ago  the Mets were overflowing with outfielders. After picking up the option on  [TGT] 's contract and then re-signing Yoenis Cespedes  they had an unbalanced roster and were looking to move an outfielder. Now  after releasing Nori Aoki on Monday  they are down to a manageable four outfielders.
With Conforto having shown that he can play an acceptable center field (and his shoulder injury to his non-throwing arm) the Mets could also add a right fielder to shore up their lineup and outfield. That could mean an attempt to reunite with the player that they had worked so hard to move last year:  Jay Bruce .
The Mets have expressed their interest in bringing   [TGT] back several times  but it seems unlikely.
The 30-year old was awful with the Mets after being acquired at the 2016 trade deadline  but he proved he could play in New York with a turnaround season in 2017 before being dealt to Cleveland in August.   [TGT] only increased  his  worth on the free agent market by helping the Indians finish off a 102-win season. While  he  has publicly said  he  would love to come back to Flushing  privately the Texas native has told Mets officials  his  preference would be to play closer to home.  He  also is looking for a major  multi-year contract  which could be difficult with the Mets' need to reduce payroll.
A reunion with  Jay Bruce  makes sense  but it's unlikely. (David Zalubowski/AP)