The Mets signed Jay Bruce to a three-year, $39 million contract, and Ken Davidoff likes the deal:
Bruce has returned to the Mets for three years and $39 million, an eminently reasonable deal for a 31-year-old-to-be who brings power and durability to an environment sorely in need of both. In this freezing-cold Hot Stove League, Bruce agreed to a deal that he probably wouldn’t have envisioned accepting back in, say, Game 2 of the American League Division Series, when he was helping the Indians dominate the Yankees.
The Mets are paying for Bruce’s decline, and should expect to get about 4.5 to 5.0 WAR out of him. That’s not the type of deal that puts a team over the top. In addition, this helps the Mets lineup remain old. It does nothing to excite me about the Mets 2018 season, or the near future for that matter.
Paying him for his age 31-33 season. Might consider moving him to 1B. Supposed to have altered his approach to elevate and pull more with good results last year. Even at 5 WAR over 3 years 13 million is about 8 million/WAR. Not a huge overpay and if he puts up 3 comparable seasons to last year might even approach 6-8 WAR
Even Mike Trout can’t guarantee a team to Win. Not an awful signing and a good job keeping the years at 3.
Obviously Bruce could turn out to be another Jason Bay, especially if his knee problems recur but there are few guarantees and even fewer 28 yo on the market who can hit 35 HR a year in a tough park. The fact they know him is a plus since there should be fewer surprises
Me either.
Makes the Defense worse and the roster older..I don’t get it…