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The Dodgers have been rumored to add an outfielder for some time, so it only makes sense that they would be interested in Jay Bruce of the Cincinnati Reds. With Monday's non-waiver trade deadline rumors fast approaching, those rumors are heating up.
Bruce is hitting .271/.323/.572 with 25 home runs this season, including a well-timed streak of five straight games with a home run entering Friday night.
Bruce is a career .258/.330/.489 hitter against right-handed pitching, including .274/.332/.595 in 2016.
The left-hander is coming off a down pair of years, hitting just .222/.288/.406 with 44 home runs total in 2014-2015, but this season has cited improved health and used an approach that has him hitting to all fields, as illuminated by Mike Petriello on Thursday at MLB.com.
So with Andre Ethier not really near a return anytime soon, with Trayce Thompson still on the disabled list, with Yasiel Puig hitting just .255/.316/.376 with seven home runs and nursing a hamstring problem of his own, it is understandable the Dodgers are seeking some outfield help.
Let's take a ride around the Friday rumor carousel, including the potential for a multi-team deal that has been a staple of this current Dodgers front office regime:
dodgers very much in play for jay bruce. LAD may prefer rh hitter, but they like bruce. nats, o's ,m's, mets, others in mix
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 29, 2016
Hearing from a couple of different places that the #dodgers are one of the teams looking at Bruce. Nothing done. Bruce in lineup #reds
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) July 29, 2016
like others, I’m hearing Dodgers want Jay Bruce. told they aren’t willing to give up a ton, though
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) July 29, 2016
As a dozen other people have already mentioned, the Dodgers are in on Jay Bruce. This information is worth what I charge for it.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) July 29, 2016
If the talks that @jaysonst reported reach the finish line and Jay Bruce lands with LAD, could signal end of Puig's time as Dodger mainstay.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 29, 2016
Rumblings of a big 3-team extravaganza brewing with the Dodgers, Reds & a mystery team. Jay Bruce would land in LA when the dust settles
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 29, 2016
@Buster_ESPN Could signal the end of Puig as a Dodger, period. Heard they've been trying to attach him in deals they've proposed.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 29, 2016
Sources: Dodgers, Reds discussed deal centered around Jay Bruce and Yasiel Puig. Didn't materialize. Still plenty of permutations possible.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2016
As of five minutes ago, six teams in on Jay Bruce. So it's probably five now. Or eight. Or something.
— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) July 29, 2016
#Dodgers owner Mark Walter said he hasn't heard from Andrew Friedman about Puig trade talk. "I don't think we're moving him," Walter said.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) July 30, 2016
LAD has shown interest in Jay Bruce, and expressed willingness to part with Yasiel Puig, sources say. Unclear if they can accomplish either.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) July 30, 2016
#Rays and #Dodgers have had recent trade talks that could link up with #Reds, sources say. @jaysonst first reported 3-team scenario. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2016
#Dodgers indeed having serious discussions about bringing Jay Bruce to LA. Deal could be 2- or 3-team scenario (with #Rays). #Reds @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2016
Sources say the Rays are not the third team in this Dodgers-Reds deal. So the coast-to-coast team hunt goes on!
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 30, 2016
Bruce is making $12.5 million this year, which means there is roughly $4.4 million remaining, plus has a $13 million club option for 2017, with a $1 million buyout.