Cincinnati Reds Rumors: Blue Jays reportedly in talks to acquire Jay Bruce

Since the conclusion of the 2015 season, trade rumors have been swirling around Cincinnati Reds right fielder Jay Bruce with no deal coming close to being made.

According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, that may be about to change.

Jays are said to like Jay Bruce very much. Word is, deal could be in works.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 22, 2016

Although the Blue Jays were at one point on Bruce’s eight-team no-trade list, he removed them from that list during the offseason, the Enquirer’s C. Trent Rosecrans tweeted. Here is his updated list:

Jay Bruce's no-trade list:
1. Yankees
2. Red Sox
3. Athletics
4. Rays
5. Marlins
6. Twins
7. Indians
8. Diamondbacks
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) February 23, 2016

Per Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan, the Reds, Blue Jays and Oakland Athletics were at one point discussing a three-team deal involving Bruce that fell apart.

However, a different third team, the Los Angeles Angeles, is now included in the talks, says Heyman.

Hearing proposed deal Is 3-way. Bruce would go to Jays, Michael Saunders to angels
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 23, 2016

Based on this information, it seems the Reds would be getting players (presumably prospects) from the Angels. But as Steve Mancuso of Redleg Nation points out, the Halos don’t exactly have the most inspiring farm system:

Angels don't have a top-100 prospect on Baseball America, FanGraphs or MLB list.
— Steve Mancuso (@spmancuso) February 23, 2016

Not only do the Angels not have any top-100 prospects, but Baseball America ranks their farm system in 30th — dead last — among all teams.

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Bruce’s trade value isn’t exactly clear. He’s only 28, but is coming off of the two worst seasons of his career and the Reds likely would not get the same return for him now that they would’ve before last year’s trade deadline. One thing working in the Reds’ favor is Bruce’s contract (owed $12.5 million in 2016 with a $13 million option for 2017), which compared to other outfielders with similar production, is a fairly team friendly deal.

An alternative to trading him now would be to wait until closer to the July trade deadline and let him potentially rebuild his value with a bounce-back season, but it appears the Reds may not want to wait for that.

Update: It seems the discussions have hit a snag, as ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting that the deal is unlikely to get done.

Sources: There is doubt among those involved in the Jay Bruce talks that the deal will be completed.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 23, 2016

Per Passan, the hold-up is over the medical status of one of the players involved.

Source: Talks are on hold in the potential Jay Bruce deal. Players were agreed upon, but issue came up with a non-Bruce player's medicals.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 23, 2016

For those of you keeping score at home:

Reds’ trades to fall apart this offseason: 3

Reds’ completed trades this offseason: 2

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