Trade Central: Long Rumored, Reds Trade Bruce

THE DEAL

The Mets push for a playoff spot added some power just before the trade deadline as they landed outfielder Jay Bruce for second baseman Dilson Herrera and lefthander Max Wotell.

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METS ACQUIRE Jay Bruce, of Age: 29

During the offseason, the Reds had a three-team trade involving Bruce fall apart over the medicals of a player involved in the deal. That ended up being beneficial for the Reds, as they saw Bruce rebound to post the best slugging percentage of his career and his best batting average since 2010. The trade again had to be reworked because of the medicals of a player involved but just before the deadline, the Reds did find a fit with the Mets. Bruce does not cover nearly as much ground as he used to defensively, but he provides significant power and since he is signed for 2017 he also provides help for next year if Yoenis Cespedes opts out of his contract at the end of the 2016 season.

Club (League)	Class	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Cincinnati (National)	MLB	.265	97	370	60	98	22	6	25	80	27	83	4	.316	.559

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REDS ACQUIRE Dilson Herrera, 2b Age: 22

Even at age 22, Dilson Herrera’s days as a significant prospect seem long ago. He did participate in the Futures Game this year, but he first reached the majors in 2014 and exhausted his prospect eligibility last year. In a best-case scenario, Herrera is a first-division regular at second base with double-digit home run power and average defense. There is plenty of risk however as there is no real fallback. He can’t play shortstop well enough to serve as a utility infielder and would be limited offensively as a corner outfielder. The Mets indicated their lack of faith in Herrera by acquiring Neil Walker during the offseason rather than give the job to the inexpensive Herrera, so he was expendable for New York. In Cincinnati, he becomes Brandon Phillips’ likely heir apparent, but that also ensures that Jose Peraza, a deadline deal acquisition last year, will need to play shortstop, center field or left field.

Club (League)	Class	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Las Vegas (PCL)	AAA	.276	86	359	61	99	24	2	13	55	27	72	6	.327	.462

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Max Wotell, lhp Age: 19

Wotell is a raw lefthander who was the Mets’ third round pick in 2015 out of a North Carolina high school. He ranked 17th on the Mets’ Top 30 coming into the season. He has plenty of potential thanks to a low-90s fastball and a tight slider. He could gain more velocity as he continues to fill out and add strength. But he is years from the big leagues. He’s been pitching in the Appalachian League and may need further time in Rookie ball or extended spring training next year before he’s ready to jump to low Class A Dayton.

Club (League)	Class	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO
Kingsport (APP)	R	3	1	3.94	6	6	30	24	14	13	1	12	31