While pitching depth seems to be the number one topic, right fielder Jose Bautista’s recent time on the DL shows you can never have enough depth in the outfield, and the middle of the batting order could become the teams top priority.
The Jays have been linked with several players over the last few weeks, but the one name that doesn’t seem to be going away is Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce.
Dieter Kurtenbach of Fox Sports is the latest to link the power-hitting veteran to Toronto and with the team not off to the greatest start since the All Star break, it makes sense to believe help could be on its way.
The 29-year-old is hitting .263 this season with the Reds, but more important is his return to hitting the long ball. With 19 home runs and 66 RBIs, the veteran right-handed hitter has but the past two years of struggles behind him. Despite his solid season, Bruce expects a trade and would love to get on a team that is battling for a spot in the postseason.
If this trade comes to fruition, it would give manager John Gibbons some flexibility with his lineup and the depth to give some of the older guys some added off days, while keeping the batting order strong, giving this club a shot at winning every time they take the field.
If pitching help is coming, several names have been circulating around the MLB trade rumor mill, including Rich Hill of Oakland and Jon Niese of Pittsburgh, both veteran starters that can eat up innings. But to make a big splash like last summer, adding Bruce would generate a buzz with the fans and the team heading into the last few weeks of the 2016 season.
