Yankees were involved in Jay Bruce trade talks before Mets dealt the outfielder to Indians

The Yankees were involved in the Jay Bruce trade discussions before the crosstown rival Mets dealt him to Cleveland, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.

Photo Credit: Paul J. Bereswill

In fact, the two sides were engaged in a multi-prospect package, but talks stalled after the Yankees requested that the Mets pay the majority of the remaining $5-million owed to Bruce before he hits free agency. Joel Sherman of the NY Post notes that the Mets considered this deal, but warned the Yankees that there was another strong bidder for Bruce, and they ultimately elected to deal him to the Indians, who will pay the remainder of his salary.

The Yankees and Mets have been linked a number of times over the past months, with Yankees' GM Brian Cashman in on Addison Reed and Lucas Duda before they were dealt to division rivals Boston and Tampa Bay. It’s clear the Mets may have chosen to trade Bruce to the Indians in their desire to not assist their crosstown rival in its playoff run. The Yankees and Mets have not agreed to a trade since 2004 when the Yankees traded Felix Heredia for Mike Stanton, and this deal could have put the Yankees in an even better position to make the postseason.

The Yankee offense has been struggling, and with Matt Holliday recently hitting the DL, there was an opening for a potential deal. Still, the club expects to return Aaron Hicks from injury this weekend, with Greg Bird and Starlin Castro also hoping to return in the next few weeks for the stretch run as the Yankees make their postseason push.

Article by: Chad Raines

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