Reports: Mets bring back Bruce for 3 years, $39M

The New York Mets and free agent outfielder Jay Bruce agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal, according to multiple reports Wednesday night.

Bruce, who turns 31 on April 3, has slugged 30-plus home runs in five of the past seven seasons. This will mark his second stint with the Mets, who traded him to the Cleveland Indians on Aug. 9 in exchange for minor league right-hander Ryder Ryan.

New York reportedly agreed to a back-loaded deal that will pay Bruce $10 million in 2018 and $14.5 million in each of the following two seasons. Bruce has a partial no-trade clause as part of the agreement.

Bruce has played right field for the majority of his career, but he also could see time at first base next season for the Mets. The left-handed hitter has hit .258 with a .330 on-base percentage and .493 slugging percentage against right-handers in his career compared with a .226/.291/.421 line against left-handers.

Despite playing only 103 games with the Mets last season, Bruce led the team with 29 home runs. Michael Conforto (27 home runs) was the only other New York player to hit more than 20.

Bruce added seven homers in 43 games for Cleveland, giving him a career-high 36 long balls. He finished the year overall with a .254/.324/.508 batting line and 101 RBIs.

--Field Level Media