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Jay Bruce Sucks!

TransMonk Sep 11 2016 03:35 AM

.198/.268/.336/.604 with 34 Ks in 127 PA since joining the Mets. I have to think the Mets could be a couple of wins better if Bruce was pulling his weight...much less playing to the level of the clean up hitter the Mets thought they were getting.

cooby Sep 11 2016 12:31 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

When we got Jay Bruce, he had the most fan points of any position player on my fantasy team. Now, unless I need to plug in a vacant spot, he is on my bench :(

Frayed Knot Sep 11 2016 02:52 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

And it's not like you can argue that he looks like he's close to finding it. If it's possible to hit a soft .198 and seem like he's swinging even worse than that then Bruce has found a way. Meanwhile, problem #2 is d'Arnaud who now has nearly as many PA this season as last. But while he had 27 XBH in what was essentially 1/2 of a season in 2015, he has all of 10 this year and I can't remember a single "big" hit from him all season which pretty much explains the whopping 14 RBIs (4 since mid-July).

Ashie62 Sep 11 2016 04:37 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Does Bruce have a team option for 2017?

Benjamin Grimm Sep 11 2016 04:55 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

According to Baseball Reference, Bruce's contract status for 2017 is "$13M Team Option, $1M Buyout"

Lefty Specialist Sep 11 2016 05:24 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Really surprised at how bad he's been. I knew he was streaky but this is getting ridiculous.

Frayed Knot Sep 11 2016 06:38 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Benjamin Grimm wrote: According to Baseball Reference, Bruce's contract status for 2017 is "$13M Team Option, $1M Buyout" That's still a 'must pick up' option to me. Even if you're aiming to trade him you have to pick it up in order to do so. For all his problems since he showed up here he still has more XBHs this season than does Cespedes (61 in 533 PA vs 51 in 458) and gets them at about the same rate. Plus it's still just 119 ABs for Bruce, and while that's beyond just merely slump territory, you still have to look at his career as a whole and figure that's the norm and this sample the exception.

Ashie62 Sep 11 2016 09:37 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

He may suck right now but I do believe he will get a Metsian offer. You never know, they could trade him or something like Cespedes not coming back happens.

d'Kong76 Sep 11 2016 09:52 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

The way I understand it they don't need to make a Metsian offer to retain him, they need to give him $1million. My guess is he'll be a Met next year, hopefully what- ever bugaboo that is causing the colossal suck (I mean, it's really bad) will work itself out sometime sooner than later. Putting the current Bruce on a playoff roster is a pretty frightening thought.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 11 2016 09:58 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

they don't need to give him anything: He has a 13m contract if we want it. The 1m is only if we decide against picking ot up

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 11 2016 09:58 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: they don't need to give him anything: He has a 13m contract if we want it. The 1m is only if we decide against picking it up

d'Kong76 Sep 11 2016 10:01 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

$1million buyout... right, pay attention d'K...

Frayed Knot Sep 11 2016 10:01 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

d'Kong76 wrote: The way I understand it they don't need to make a Metsian offer to retain him, they need to give him $1million. They need to give him $13 million in order to keep him for 2017. The $1 million is to make him go away. The other alternative is to negotiate a different contract entirely, a deal which would go beyond 2017 and replace the current one. I doubt they'll take that road but maybe it's worth discussing.

Edgy MD Sep 12 2016 01:34 AM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

All I care about Cousin Brucie right now is that he comes ready to contribute tomorrow. Fortunately, the Mets currently have a lot of redundancy with 5+ left handed-hitting outfielders.

Mets Guy in Michigan Sep 12 2016 01:54 AM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

I think Bruce is an All-Star caliber player going through a very, very difficult slump. If we didn't exercise the option and set him free, he's be without a job for about 10 minutes.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 12 2016 05:00 AM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

I think Bruce was a borderline All Star a long time ago. I know he's been a borderline liability overall over the last two years even when he's hitting 30 home runs and such.

Centerfield Sep 12 2016 12:44 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

I was against the trade and all, but I didn't think he would be this bad. Yeesh.

MFS62 Sep 13 2016 03:30 AM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

I root for every player on the Mets to do well. But he's making me expend a lot of rooting energy on him. Later

TransMonk Sep 14 2016 10:59 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

I mean really.

A Boy Named Seo Sep 14 2016 11:05 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

I wanna trade Jay Bruce for J Mascis.

d'Kong76 Sep 14 2016 11:15 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Hopefully they'll lose him on the tarmac when boarding... or he'll wake the fuck up and start contributing. Jeebus, if he was AVERAGE the Mets would be like 4-5 games better. Am I wrong?

Edgy MD Sep 14 2016 11:40 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Probably. On the other hand, if he AND Loney were average ... . In fairness, nobody elbus got it done today.

Nymr83 Sep 15 2016 05:19 AM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

well, Loney was picked up off the scrap heap - it didnt cost Herrera to get him, so the expectations are lower

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 15 2016 11:18 AM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Terry said yesterday that Bruce was his guy, and that he'll continue trotting him out there till the results improve. Bruce himself appears CAHNfident that this will help him out of the doldrums more than sitting him out, which we've tried without success so far anyway. I have to say, I'm warily with them here. Conforto/Nimmo could be, but haven't been, any more reliable. The Mets got Bruce to replace the offense/batting slot that went missing with Doodoo so I'm just pretending Bruce is Doodoo in a radical slump.

Ceetar Sep 15 2016 01:47 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Bruce at his best is Duda in a slump. But he's started on the bench 5 of the last 19 games. If someone else, Conforto, Nimmo..could start hitting, he'd probably sit even more.

Rockin' Doc Sep 15 2016 05:05 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Nymr83 wrote: well, Loney was picked up off the scrap heap - it didnt cost Herrera to get him, so the expectations are lower Loney has performed much better than Bruce as a Met. He's provided solid defense (granted w/ limited range) and has out hit several of the regulars* that the Mets were counting on going into the season. All in all, he has been a decent pick up for the team. Jay Bruce has been an entirely different matter. He still hasn't left the interstate and he cost a prospect and a sizable salary to get him. He really needs to step it up and start hitting. *Yeah, I'm calling out D'Arnaud, Conforto, and Granderson too. At least Granderson is starting to wake up and hit..

Benjamin Grimm Sep 15 2016 05:14 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Two thoughts on Jay Bruce: 1. I don't know much about him, but they say he's "streaky". I hope he has a hot streak coming that's long enough, and hot enough, to counterbalance how awful he's been so far. If that happens (starting, like, now) that will be a very good thing for the Mets, and well-timed as well. But I'll believe it when I see it. 2. He seems to have been beloved in Cincinnati, and the fans there seem to have been regretting his departure about as much as we've regretted his arrival. I was trying to think if there were any opposite examples in Mets history, where Mets fans were thinking "how could they let him leave?" while said player was stinking things up on his new team. I couldn't really think of anyone. (Maybe Edgardo Alfonzo with the Giants in 2003? Not really the same, but it was the best I could come up with.)

Frayed Knot Sep 15 2016 05:15 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Rockin' Doc wrote: Loney has performed much better than Bruce as a Met. Yeah, but not so much lately -- .213 with one XBH in August Not what you want from your 1st baseman

Ceetar Sep 15 2016 05:20 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Of the 36 batters the Mets have used this season, James Loney is dead last in fWAR. In the second half, the only Mets with a lower wRC+ are Jay Bruce, Brandon Nimmo (19pa), Cecchini (1) His defense is rated pretty poorly too.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 15 2016 05:55 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

When Loney was "good" he was doing about what he always did -- decent BA, not much else. That's a borderline 1B to start with and why he was toiling in AAA. And then he slumped off that.

Zvon Sep 15 2016 10:41 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

What's important about Loney is that he was hitting when we needed it most. And making plays Duda couldn't dream of, even with his limited range. Just heads up confident first base. He has tailed off. Right now he might be only adequate at best, but we needed every win to get us here, and he provided a few of those. I would love to have Duda back or maybe another in there at this time (Conforto?), but considering how we got him (and the cost) I think he was exactly what we needed. Twitter is dragging Loney through the mud and I think that's rather harsh. He was an important signing, IMO. But Bruce. He's driving me crazy. TC said you don't hit, you don't play, but when it comes to the money players, I guess it's a different approach. He has sat him more recently, but apparently not enough. Give Conforto or Nimmo a few days in a row to take a look see, let Bruce clear his head. We need to be playing our hottest hand.

Edgy MD Sep 16 2016 01:02 AM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Duda had dreamed some pretty nice defense in the year before he got hurt. And in the time since we've had Bruce, Loney has been the lesser player. But the real issue now is that Flores has been out with a mystery injury, making the team even shorter from the right side and making Campbell the main alternative to Loney.

Centerfield Sep 16 2016 01:26 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

The Flores injury makes it even dumber that Terry Collins hasn't tried Jay Bruce at 1B. What are we scared of? Throwing off his rhythm?

Centerfield Sep 16 2016 01:29 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Edgy MD wrote: But the real issue now is that Flores has been out with a mystery injury... I'm going to put out there that the mystery injury is that he banged his head really hard when he dove headfirst into a man's shinguards.

Edgy MD Sep 16 2016 02:59 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Apparently, his neck has been feeling better but his wrist won't allow him to swing the bat. Anthony DiComo with the scoop.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 16 2016 03:00 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Well, at least his wrist allows him to feel his neck. That's a start.

dinosaur jesus Sep 16 2016 04:34 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

They're not saying "Bruce." They're booing.

TransMonk Sep 16 2016 04:46 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

dinosaur jesus wrote: They're not saying "Bruce." They're booing. BOC! Now, THAT made me laugh out loud!

bmfc1 Sep 18 2016 01:54 AM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Maybe he can't handle New York. Or maybe it's the playoff race that's getting to him. Either way, what a sack of crap (so far).

Nymr83 Sep 18 2016 04:47 AM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

you who doesn't suck? CURTIS GRANDERSON!

Benjamin Grimm Sep 21 2016 01:33 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

It's really looking more and more like they'll cut him loose at the end of the season, doesn't it? That's $13 million that can be used towards enticing Cespedes to return. Does he even make the post-season roster, should we be fortunate enough to have one?

Centerfield Sep 21 2016 01:43 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been pinch hit for. I always think I’m the best choice. I think everyone in this locker room does. But he’s the manager and I respect his decision. It is what it is.” Hey Jay Bruce. Don't be a dick.

Mets Guy in Michigan Sep 21 2016 01:47 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Centerfield wrote: “It’s the first time I’ve ever been pinch hit for. I always think I’m the best choice. I think everyone in this locker room does. But he’s the manager and I respect his decision. It is what it is.” Hey Jay Bruce. Don't be a dick. I think he's saying that everyone in the locker room thinks that they, themselves, would be the best choice. Not that everyone in the locker room thinks that Jay Bruce is the best choice.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 21 2016 01:50 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

I agree with Michigan's interpretation.

Ceetar Sep 21 2016 02:00 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

kinda wish Bruce was more pissed/dickish about it. maybe that'd get his swing back to at least the average+ it was.

Centerfield Sep 21 2016 02:02 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Mets Guy in Michigan wrote: Centerfield wrote: “It’s the first time I’ve ever been pinch hit for. I always think I’m the best choice. I think everyone in this locker room does. But he’s the manager and I respect his decision. It is what it is.” Hey Jay Bruce. Don't be a dick. I think he's saying that everyone in the locker room thinks that they, themselves, would be the best choice. Not that everyone in the locker room thinks that Jay Bruce is the best choice. I see. Got it. Sorry Jay.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 21 2016 02:07 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Hey, don't apologize too hard. I mean, he still sucks like the world's deadliest undertow. At this point, why aren't they starting Conforto in right? At least in that case, they would get a mild defensive upgrade.

Edgy MD Sep 21 2016 06:12 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Ceetar wrote: kinda wish Bruce was more pissed/dickish about it. maybe that'd get his swing back to at least the average+ it was. If anything, he's been too fast. He was on Teheran nicely but pulling everything 25 feet foul. I'm confident that Jay Bruce on his game is the team's best choice, but after these two losses, I'm not sure they have time to get him on his game. In fact, I suspect they don't. And I recommend Conforto getting something like two out of three starts against righthanders.

Frayed Knot Sep 21 2016 06:19 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Now if only Conforto weren't hitting .167 with a 32% strikeout rate since April.

Ceetar Sep 21 2016 06:23 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

De Aza might actually be the best third choice.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 21 2016 06:25 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Edgy MD wrote: Ceetar wrote: kinda wish Bruce was more pissed/dickish about it. maybe that'd get his swing back to at least the average+ it was. If anything, he's been too fast. He was on Teheran nicely but pulling everything 25 feet foul. I'm confident that Jay Bruce on his game is the team's best choice, but after these two losses, I'm not sure they have time to get him on his game. In fact, I suspect they don't. And I recommend Conforto getting something like two out of three starts against righthanders. It's a conundrum, for sure. On the one hand the inclination is to say, wtf, only 10 games left, what's the harm in not playing the guy? And on the other, maybe there's more than 10 games left and if we can get him going... And terry - the man is insane! Just imagine if Campbell did what everyone expected him to do there. Boy do we miss Flores & Lagares. Of course in my mind the real villain last night was d'Arnaud.

MFS62 Sep 22 2016 01:14 AM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks! Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 22 2016 01:32 AM

True story: When things at work are slow, we play the name game. http://vgg.com/tr/namegame.html All names of real people (not fictional characters) are ok. One exception - we exclude professional athletes because a few of the players are not sports fans. Last night, the clue "Etta James" led to the response "Jay Bruce". We quickly OKd that name. Later

Zvon Sep 22 2016 01:22 AM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Im a Loney supporter but holy crap, that was bad. I hope that error don't kill. Not all errors kill, right?

Zvon Sep 22 2016 01:25 AM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Ugh. He's pullin Reed? I can't watch. Im gonna go have a cigarette.

MFS62 Sep 22 2016 03:17 AM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Those last two posts look like they should have been in the IGT. Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 22 2016 12:57 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Worth noting: in Texas colors (and while wearing a CFer's glove), Carlos Gomez has put up a .261/.352/.508 line over 106 PAs, with 6 HRs. For free (virtually).

Lefty Specialist Sep 22 2016 01:01 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

I wonder if Jay Bruce's wife and kids boo him too.

Ashie62 Sep 22 2016 08:48 PM Re: Jay Bruce Sucks!

Jay Bruce does suck.