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Baltimore Orioles: Jay Bruce, anyone?

By Domenic A. Vadala

Courtesy of Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Courtesy of Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Do the Baltimore Orioles have interest in Cincinnati Reds’ outfielder, Jay Bruce?

Another name that’s been linked to the Baltimore Orioles here and there this off season is Cincinnati Reds’ outfielder, Jay Bruce. First off it’s interesting to note that the Birds themselves haven’t necessarily expressed too much interest in Bruce. However Cincinnati’s expressed interest in doing business with the Orioles. Think they have something specific in mind?

Courtesy of Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Courtesy of Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

I’m not sure who in the Orioles’ organization that Cincinnati has been targeting, but since the likes of Machado, Bundy, Harvey, and Gausman have been in Baltimore teams have been trying to get at them. And the funny thing is that they make it out to be the most reasonable thing in the world – that the O’s should trade stars or future stars like that for their retreads.

But I digress; Bruce is a career .248 hitter with an OBP of .319. So on that basis I’d say that the Orioles should pass. However many analysts feel that he’d hit his stride hitting in a place like Oriole Park as his home yard. While that’s possible, it would be tough to trade for a .248 hitter and market him as an upgrade.

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Mariners' 2022 postseason berth has Jay Bruce-vibes from the 2010 Reds playoff appearance
Mariners' 2022 postseason berth has Jay Bruce-vibes from the 2010 Reds playoff appearance /

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    • This is why I would submit that signing Dexter Fowler is a much better approach for the O’s. While he would cost them their compensatory pick from Miami, he won’t cost them a prospect that’s currently in the organization. And based on his career numbers he’s a better hitter and he gets on base at a much higher clip.

    As of last night Bruce appeared to be headed to Toronto, who suddenly had their interest peaked in him. However reportedly the player that Toronto was to send back to Cincinnati had some concerns pop up on his medicals, and the deal is now on hold – if it’s to be consumated at all.

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    I’m still predicting that Fowler finds his way to Sarasota, however Bruce might be a second option if Fowler doesn’t want to sign for what the Birds are offering. I would also not discount the possibility that neither of them end up here. The Orioles have depth in the outfield, and the likes of Kim, Reimold, or even Urrutia could certainly end up playing on a semi-regular basis.

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    The real surprise to me is that players like Fowler are still out there, and that teams are still talking trades for someone like Jay Bruce. I suppose that when salary demands aren’t met guys are willing to hold out, and the same is true of trade demands.

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